• 


The  Soldier's  Return. 


Life  in  the  Army. 


LIFE  IN  THE  AEMY, 


DEPARTMENTS  OF  VIRGINIA,  AND  THE  GULF, 


INCLUDING 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS, 


WITH  AN 


ACCOUNT  OF  THE  AUTHOR'S  LIFE  AND  EXPERIENCE  IN  THE  MINISTRY. 


BY 

REV.  J.   CHANDLER  GREGG, 


OF  THE 
PHILADELPHIA  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 


SECOND    EDITION, 

REVISED  AND  CORRECTED. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 
PERKINPINE   &   HIGGINS, 

No.  56  NORTH  FOURTH  STREET. 

1868. 


Entered  acoortjiag  to  tkel-^ct'Of  Oofigrens,  *i&  th?  year  1866,  by 

PERKINPINE  &  HIGGINS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 

/"XXN^"Vw'"N^'VX-^-XX-XX'«^/~^X»w«-^X-V^«W/"XX- 

WKSTCOTT  &  THOMSON,   8TEEEOTIPEES. 


TO 

THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEN 

OF   THE   IS^tlx   REG-IMEHSTT,   IP.  "V., 
AND   ALL   THE   BRAVE   DEFENDERS    OF   OUR   NATION, 

WHO,   RALLYING  ROUND   THEIR  COUNTRY'S   FLAG, 
HAVE  VINDICATED  ITS  HONOR,  AND  SECURED  FOR  THEIR  POSTERITY 

The  Birthright  of  liberty,   Union,  and  Peace ; 

< 

TO  THE  MEMORY 

OF  THE  MULTITUDE  OF  WORTHY  PATRIOTS, 
WHO   HAVE   SACRIFICED    THEIR   LIVES   UPON    FREEDOM'S    ALTAR; 

AND    TO 

MY  FELLOW-LABORERS  IN  THE  GOSPEL, 

WHOSE  FRIENDSHIP  I  CHERISH, 

THIS   WORK 
IS  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED, 

BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


THE  reader,  may  desire  to  know  the  why,  and  wherefore  of 
this  publication.  It  is  due  that  I  should  briefly  meet,  and  satisfy 
such  an  inquiry. 

When  appointed  Chaplain  to  the  St.  James'  Army  Hospital  in 
New  Orleans,  La.  I  beguiled  an  occasional  hour  of  loneliness,  by 
jotting  down  some  observations  of  men  and  things,  which  to  me 
appeared  novel,  and  worthy  of  note.  To  this  I  added,  as  time 
allowed,  the  reminiscences  of  my  experience  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  during  the  stirring  period  I  was  in  active  service,  with 
my  recollections  of  great  battles,  and  brave  men.  I  then,  to  give 
a  degree  of  completeness  to  this  memoranda,  tried  to  recall  the 
scenes  of  my  early  youth,  my  conversion  to  God,  entrance  into 
the  ministry,  and  the  events  of  several  active  years,  on  various 
fields  of  labor,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Philadelphia  Annual 
Conference. 

On  my  return  from  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  and  after 
being  honorably  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  my  country,  I 
occupied  a  short  respite  from  duty  in  arranging  the  desultory 
material  thus  collected,  and  now  yield  to  the  request  of  my  friends 
in  giving  my  manuscript  to  the  public,  in  the  form  of  a  book.  It 
1*  5 


6  PREFACE. 

is  simply  a  record  of  facts,  experience,  and  observations,  without 
pretension  to  literary  excellence  or  merit ;  and  hastily  prepared, 
without  the  advantage  of  diary,  journal,  or  access  to  sources  from 
which,  a  more  extended,  and  accurate  production  might  have 
been  compiled.  My  volume  will  merely  claim  an  humble  place 
among  the  many  which  have  been  the  offspring  of  the  great  re 
bellion,  and  will  stand  as  a  memorial  of  many  events,  connected 
with  the  gallant  Regiment,  with  which  I  had  the  honor  to  serve, 
and  with  my  own  personal  history.  To  my  friends,  I  hope  its 
perusal  will  be  a  source  of  pleasure  and  profit,  and  to  all  into 
whose  hands  it  may  fall,  a  means  of  some  good. 

J.  C.  GREGG. 

PHILADELPHIA,  February  22d,  1866. 


CONTENTS. 


I.-AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

CHAPTER    I. 
BOYHOOD. 

PAGE 

Birth-place— Region  of  the  Alleghanies— Wild  Beasts  of  the  Forest— Various  kinds 
of  Reptiles — The  Rattle-snake — Mode  of  Capture — Good  for  Food  when  Smoke- 
dried— Great  Battle  with  Snakes— Victory— Farming  Work— Travel  in  the 
Mountains — Education  under  Difficulties — Duty  to  Parents — My  Father, 
Thomas  Gregg,  an  Inventive  Geniusr-Iron  Manufacture — First  Cut  Nails — 
Account  of  the  First  Iron-clad  Monitor — The  True  Inventor — Reverses  in 
Fortune — The  "  Rock  of  Faith" — Conversion — Experience — A  Praying  Mother 
~— On  the  Verge  of  Jordan 17 

CHAPTER    II. 
CONVERSION. 

Visit  to  Relations  near  Wilmington,  Del.  —  Conviction  of  Sin  — A  Mother's 
Prayers— About  to  Flee  like  Jonah— Attended  Protracted  Meeting— Senncta 
by  Dr.  Castle— Became  a  Public  Seeker  of  Religion— Rev.  S.  W.  Thomas- 
Conversion — Promptings  to  do  Good — Return  to  Pennsylvania — The  Family 
Altar— Neighbors  Converted— Thoughts  about  the  Ministry— Education  Prof 
fered  by  the  Episcopalians 25 

CHAPTER    III. 
PREACHING. 

Second  Visit  to  Delaware— School  Teaching— Smyrna  Circuit— License  to  Preach 
—Sent  to  Greensborough  Circuit— Dr.  Quigley— Rev.  J.  B.  Ayers— Happy 
Times  —  Numbers  Converted  —  Accomac,  Virginia  —  Rev.  D.  Dailey — Rev. 
Charles  Hill— Difficulties  with  Slaveholders— Rev.  A.  Wallace— A  Successful 
Year „ , , 30 

'  7 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  ITINERANCY. 

FAQX 

Received  on  Trial  in  the  Philadelphia  Annual  Conference — Appointed  to  Berlin 
Circuit,  Md. — Rev.  Wm.  Merrill — Results  of  Protracted  Meetings — Large 
Increase— Conference  of  1856— Appointed  to  Church  Creek  Circuit  with  Rev. 
H.  Sanderson— New  Sabbath  Schools  Organized— Circulation  of  Periodicals— 

,  Election  Day — A  Young  Lawyer  Snubbed — Camp  Meeting  Scenes — A  Dis 
turber  Settled 34 

CHAPTER    V. 
CHURCH  BUILDING. 

Ordained  Deacon — A  "  Break  Neck  Hill "  Appointment — Character  of  Blackwater 
Circuit— Whisky  Drinking  People— The  Blues— My  First  Sabbath— Gloomy 
Prospect — Good  Resolutions — Active  Work — Three  Churches  to  be  rebuilt — 
One  New  Church  to  be  Erected — The  Work  Begins,  Proceeds — And  is  Com 
pleted—Dedication  of  Airey's  Chapel— Freeborn  Garretson— Old  Times—Doc 
tors  Roberts  and  Williams — Success — Dedication  of  Scott^s  Chapel — Griffiths — 
Revival— A  Harvest  Time— The  New  Church— Rev.  A.  Manship— "  Gregg 
Chapel" — A  Good  Dedication — Camp  .Meeting — Array  of  Preachers — Great 
Power — Summing  up  of  a  Successful  Year — Second  Year  on  Blackwater  Cir 
cuit — Another  Camp  Meeting — Ministers  Present — Opposition,  and  the  Wea 
pons  used  to  Conquer  it — Rev.  Dr.  Thompson — Close  of  my  Term 37 

CHAPTER    VI. 
ORDINATION. 

Annual  Conference— Ordained  Elder— Wiconisco— Mountains— Church  Debt  Paid 
— Festival — Ingathering  to  the  Church — Warm  Friends  —  Hummelstown — 
Church  Repaired — Re-opening — Rev.  Messrs.  Bishop,  Heilner,  and  Carson — 
Missionary  Collection — Astounding  Stinginess — A  Free  Gospel — Reflections — 
Opposition  to  Revivals— A  "Peter  Cartwright"  Argument— Victory  on  the 
Lord's  Side 46 

CHAPTER     VII. 
LOYALTY. 

Appointed  to  Bainbridge — Revival — Reappointed — Commissioned  Chaplain — Pre 
sented  with  a  Beautiful  Sword— Off  to  the  Field— Return— Appointed  to 
Montgomery  Square— Opposition— An  Old  Disloyal  Farmer— Bishop  Hopkins 
on  Slavery — Revival — An  Incident — Visit  to  President  Lincoln — Interview 
with  Secessionists — A  Jew  Nonplussed— Running  the  Churche.8 — Estimate  of 
Mr.  Lincoln — Nominated  for  Hospital  Chaplain — Confirmed — Ordered  to  De 
partment  of  the  Gulf— A  Word  to  "  All  Whom.it  May  Concern" 51 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
/ 

PERSONAL. 

PAGE 

Views  on  the  Efficiency  of  the  Ministry— Common  Sense  and  Living  Faith  Better 
than  Dead  Languages — Revivals  of  Religion  sanctioned  by  Scripture — Mission 
of  Methodism — Personal — Kindness  of  Friends — Rev.  James  Riddle — Remark 
able  Providences — Rescue  from  Drowning — Fall  from  a  Horse — Escape  from 
Robbers— The  Glory  given  to  God 59 

IL-ABMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

MUSTERING. 

The  Great  Uprising  of  the  North— A  Patriot's  Duty— Organization  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh  Regiment — Marching  Orders— Washington,  D. 
C.— Across  the  Potomac— Fort  "Ethan  Allen  "—Second  Bull  Run  Battle — 
Antietam— Our  Young  Colonel— The  "Christian  Body  "—Ordered  to  Join  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac — Heavy  March — Amusing  Scenes — A  Splendid  Shot — 
Scientific  Pork-Butchering — Disappearance  of  a  Rail  Fence — A  Frightened 
Citizen— The  "Eleventh  Maine"— The  Chaplain  Bamboozled— Military  Ne 
cessity — Acquia  Creek — Comfortless  Quarters — General  Burnside's  Army — 
Camp  Alleman— Major-Generals  Couch  and  Howard 69 

CHAPTER    X. 
WAR. 

Camp  Broken — March  to  the  Front — Fredericksburg — Preparations  for  Battle — 
Religious  Meetings — Opening  of  the  Fight — Terrific  Cannonade — Pontoons — 
Rebel  Sharp-Shooters  Routed — A  Daring  Exploit — Captain  Fox  Mortally 
Wounded— Our  Regiment  Ordered  Across  — Under  Fire— Casualties  —  The 
Rebel  Yell — Three  Days'  Terrible  Slaughter — Defeat  of  Our  Army — Causes — 
Retreat  to  Our  Old  Camp—"  Try,  Try  Again." 76 

CHAPTER    XI. 
WINTER  IN  CAMP. 

After  the  Great  Battle — Music  in  Camp — Cheerfulness  Returns — Review  by  Gen. 
Stunner — Kind  Words  to  the  Chaplain — Whisky  Rations — Fun  in  Camp — 
Snow-Balls  in  Place  of  "  Minies  "—An  Insulted  F.  F.  V.— The  Little  Drummer 
— St.  Patrick's  Day — Devotion  Succeeded  by  Drunkenness — Horse  Racing — 
Exhortation  by  Major-General  Howard — Sale  of  Liquor  Stopped — Gamblers 
Riding  on  a  Rail— Religious  Meetings— Revival,  and  Numbers  Converted 88 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XII.  y 

HOOKER'S  CAMPAIGN. 

MM 

Hooker's  Campaign — The  Condition  of  the  Army — The  Troops  in  Motion — Cross 
ing  of  the  Rappahannock— Prayer  Before  Battle — An  Eventful  Sabbath— Re 
flections — Capture  of  the  "  Heights  " — Evening  Sermon  in  Fredericksburg — 
The  Army  Victorious— A  Strange  Time  to  Retreat— Killed,  Wounded,  and 
Missing— Where  the  Blame  Lies— The  Final  Defeat  of  Whisky— Our  Officers 
True  to  Temperance — Term  of  Service  Expired — Ordered  to  Report  at  Harris- 
burg— Homeward  Bound— Grand  Reception— Gala  Day— Conclusion 90 

CHAPTER    XIII. 
THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-SEVENTH  PENN'A  VOLUNTEERS. 

Distinguishing  Characteristics  of  the  Officers  and  Privates  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers — Field  Officers — Co 
lonel  W.  W.  Jennings— Pen  and  Ink  Sketches— Testimonial  by  the  Officers- 
Colonel  Jennings,  Junior — Lieutenant-Colonel  Alleman — A  Working  Officer — 
Handsome  Present — The  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  Pursuit  of  a  Rebel  Spy — Sold 
— The  Spy  a  Woman — Hint  to  the  Ladies — Major  Rohrer — Surgeon  E.  H. 
Horner— Staff  Officers— Assistant  Surgeon  H.  L.  Vastine— Chaplain  J.  Chan 
dler  Gregg— Quartermaster  John  F.  Orth— Adjutant  A.  C.  Chayne— Line  Offi 
cers— Captain  J.  Wesley  Awl,  &c.,  &c.— Lieutenants,  and  Their  Residences- 
Privates — A  Respectable  Body — Good  Morals — Table,  Showing  where  Re 
cruited— The  Chaplain's  Farewell 98 

CHAPTER    XIV. 
NOTES  OF  TRAVEL. 

Ordered  to  New  Orleans — En  Route — New  York — The  Methodist  Book  Concern — 
Rev.  Di*.  Porter — Sanitary  Fair — Brooklyn — On  Board  the  Steamer  United 
States— Out  at  Sea— Army  Officers— Their  Wicked  Conduct— Gambling— Pro 
fanity— Disloyalty— Sublimity  of  the  Ocean— Moorehead  City— Beaufort,  N. 
C.— Colored  Schools— Miss  Luckey— Sea  Shells— Off  Again— Preaching  and 
Fishing  on  Sabbath— Opinion  of  an  Old  Tar— Key  Wesl^Porpoises  and  Fly 
ing-Fish—Gulf  of  Mexico— Off  the  Mississippi— Pilot  Town— The  Sea  Gulls— 
Up  the  River— Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip— Quarantine  Hospital— The 
Colored  People—"  Glory  to  God  "—Arrival  at  New  Orleans— Description  of  the 
Mississippi  River— Algiers 118 


CONTENTS.  11 

III -OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS. 

CHAPTER    XV. 
NEW  ORLEANS 

PAOB 

Observations  in  New  Orleans — Location — Commercial  Statistics — Danger  from  In 
undations — Effects  of  a  Heavy  Shower — Damage  to  Crinoline — Surroundings — 
Lake  Pontchartrain — Street*  and  Pavements — Cleanliness — Health  of  the 
City— Street  Cars  —  Buildings— Tiles— Gardens  —  Shrubbery— Fruit  Trees— 
The  Rebels,  False  Prophets— Stagnation  in  Improvements— General  Butler— 
His  Claims  to  Gratitude— Character  of  the  People— A  Cosmopolitan  City- 
Children — "  Types  of  Mankind  " — Intelligence — Newspapers — Various  Lan 
guages—A  Second  Babel— Religion— Gaiety  in  Dress— Fast  Army  Office^— 
A  Strange  Fact — Avocations  and  Habits — Supply  of  Water — Sleeping  Accom 
modations — Mosquitoes  and  Their  Propensities — Pride  of  the  People — Fast 
Living — Amusements — Hatred  of  Northern  People — Epithets  Applied  to  the 
Universal  Yankee— The  Duty  of  the  North— Need  of  Education— Rebels  Still 
— How  Barbarism  may  be  Prevented  and  the  People  Converted  from  Treason 
to  Loyalty 124 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

The  Clay  Monument — Immortal  Words — Rebuke  to  Treason — The  Jackson  Statue 
— "The  Union  Must  and  Shall  Be  Preserved" — Public  Squares  and  Circles — 
Custom  House— City  Hall— State  Convention  —  Emancipation— St.  Charles 
Hotel 145 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

The  Moral  Condition  of  the  City— Indifference  to  Religion— Sabbath  Desecration 
—Street  Cars— Cock-Fighting—Drunkenness— Statistics  of  Rum  Traffic— Sun- 
'  day  Theaters— Music— Revelry— The  Catholic  Religion— Effects  of  Disloyalty 
— Foreigners  and  their  Vices — Gambling-Houses — Slavery — The  Devil's  Work 
shop—Pride  and  Poverty— A  Great  Home  Missionary  Field— A  Difficult  Way 
to  Heaven  by  New  Orleans 150 


12  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

PAG» 

Folly  and  Madness  of  Rebellion — Average  of  Runaway  Slaves — Slave  Hunting  in 
the  Swainps — "Pious"  Masters — English  Neutrality — Motives  of  the  British — , 
A  Nut  for  Lord  John  Russell  tf  Crack— Secret  Meetings  for  Treasonable  Pur 
poses — Character  of  the  Policemen — Indignities  to  Union  Soldiers — "  Straws," 
Showing  how  the  Wind  Blows — Foreign  Language  a  Cloak  to  Treason — Ro 
man  Catholicism  Favourable  to  Despotism— Disloyalty  of  the  Women— Hatred 
of  the  Flag— Starvation  under  Jeff.  Davis'  Dynasty— Partiality  to  Rebel  Pri 
soners — The  Texan  Battle-Cry — Petticoat  Government — Union  Officers  in  the 
Hands  of  Delilah— Heart  Captures— Free  Masonry  in  the  South— No  Affiliation 
with  Yankees— Unaccountable  Partiality  of  the  Poor  Whites  for  the  System 
of  Slavery— Their  True  Interest  and  Position— Sabbath-School  Books  and 
Religious  Papers  Destroyed — Madness  and  Infatuation  of  the  Pro-Slavery 
Party— Three  Secession  Merchants  "Dried  Up  "— "  Glorious  News  1"— God  on 
the  Side  of  the  Union 158 

CHAPTER    XIX. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

Union  Men  in  New  Orleans — State  Convention — Legislature — Loyal  Ladies — De 
liverance  from  Rebel  Misrule — A  Minister  bids  his  Slaves  go  Free ! — A  Brighter 
Day  at  Hand i 17T 

CHAPTER    XX. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

Unmanly  Subserviency  to  Rebels— Faithless  Officials— Corruption  of  Parties  in 
Power— Union  Men  Neglected— General  Canby— Prospect  of  Correcting 
Abuses 181 

CHAPTER    XXI. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

Scenes  and  Incidents — Coffee-Houses — A  Disappointed  Major — A  Wooden-Legged 
Hero,  and  One- Armed  "  Reb  "—A  Lost  Boy  Turns  Up — Opinion  of  an  Ex- 
Slaveholder— The  Patriotism  of  a  Color-Sergeant— Sacrifices  for  Country— 
"The  Wrong  Boat  "—Algiers  M.  E.  Church— Sunday  School 18f 


CONTENTS.  13 

CHAPTER    XXII. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

PAGE 

Methodist  Soldiers— Testimony  to  Their  Religious  Zeal— The  Source  of  Power— A 
Premium  on  Disloyalty — Contraband  Traffic — Back-Door  Business — Scene  in 
a  Church 189 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

Officers'  General  Hospital— St.  James'  Hotel  —  Capacity— Surgeons— Experience 
with  the  Sick  and  Wounded— Testimony  of  the  Dying— Captain  Young,  Ac.— 
Chaplains 193 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

"The  Patriot's  Cemetery"— Wisdom  of  General  Butler— My  Cousin  Thomas  D. 
Gregg— Chalmette  Battle-Ground—Monument  Cemetery— The  Mantle  of"  Old 
Hickory  "— Farragut  and  Butler— God  for  the  Cause  of  Liberty— The  Soldiers' 
Last  Resting-Place 198 

CHAPTER    XXV. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

Taxable  Property— Wealth  of  the  Colored  People— Their  Piety— Power  in  Prayer 
— Their  "  Moses  " — Denominations — Large  Secession  from  the  Church  South — 
Admixture  of  Races — Wrongs  Endured — A  Remarkable  Wedding — Father 
Ross — The  Great  Emancipation  Celebration — The  Military — Prayer  and  Ora 
tions—Immense  Parade— Song  by  the  Children— The  First  Colored  Regiment 
— A  Scrap  of  History — The  Organization  of  Colored  Troops — Their  Adaptation 
to  Climate,  Drill,  and  Discipline— Their  Victories— Equal  Rights— The  Na 
tion's  Duty  to  the  Colored  Man 201 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

EOT.  J.  P.  Newman,  D.D— Position  and  Influence— An  Old  Lady's  Prayer— Uncle 
Sam,  the  Greatest  President— All  Saints'  Day— Burying  Above  Ground— Cli 
mate— Young  America— Ignorance  of  Some  of  the  Colored  People— Singular 
Names— The  Marrying  Business— Christmas— Sabbath  School  Exhibitions— 
2 


14  CONTENTS. 

1  PA<3B 

Watch  Night— Lazy  Methodists— A  Day  of  Jubilee— The  Christian  and  Sani 
tary  Commissions — Steamboat  Collisions — The  City  as  a  Military  Camp — 
Three  Thousand  Colored  Children  at  the  Circus— A  Raid  on  the  Gamblfng- 
Houses — Sabbath  Desecration  Prevented — Anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  New 
Orleans — Inauguration  of  Governor  Wells — Great  Turn  Out  of  the  Fire  De 
partment — Eloquent  Prayer — A  Memorable  Day — Valuable  Services  of  Dr.  J. 
V.  E.  Smith— The  Roll  of  Honor ...  214 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

News  of  Victory — Tidings  of  the  Assassination  of  President  Lincoln — Joy  Turned 
to  Mourning — Great  Day  of  Humiliation — Immense  Gathering  at  La  Fayette 
Square — Tears  and  Woe — Mournful  Music — Flags  at  Half-Mast — Buildings 
Draped — A  City  Filled  with  Sorrow — Prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Newman — Public 
Addresses  by  Generals  Hurl  but  and  Banks — Meeting  at  Dr.  Palmer's  Church 
—Prayer  by  Dr.  Pearne— Stirring  Addresses— Contrast— Retribution  for  Se- 
cesh  Preachers— Great  Scare  of  the  Rebels— Their  .Houses  in  Sackcloth— Re- 
flections-The  Republic  Still  Lives! .'. '. 232 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 
OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

The  Black  Code  of  Louisiana — Keep  it  Before  the  People — The  Voice  of  Sages — 
Christian  Patriots— Statesmen,  Philosophers  and  Philanthropists,  in  Condem 
nation  of  Human  Slavery — What  the  People  can  now  Universally  Exclaim — 
Union  and  Liberty 238 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 
HOMEWARD  BOUND. 

Off  for  Cairo— The  Steamer  "  Commonwealth"— Secesh  Officers— The  Captain's 
Opinion  of  Green  Backs — Treatment  of  a  Union  Soldier  by  the  Clerk — A  Rebel 
Lieutenant  gets  "  Tight " — Opinion  of  a  Passenger,  as  to  Where  the  New  Con 
stitution  of  Missouri  was  Prepared— His  Preference  for  European  Government 
— A  Female  Advocate  for  Poor  Jeff. — Abandoned  Plantations — Port  Hudson 
— Baton  Rouge — Natchez — Real  Character  of  a  Professed  Union  Man — Vicks- 
burg — The  Great  Siege  and  Capture — General  Davidson — Election — Rebels  in 
the  Ascendant — Martial  Law  Still  Necessary — Lake  Providence — The  Fourth 
July  on  Board — Napoleon — Memphis — Incidents — Scenery — Waste  Lands — A 
Drowned  Man — Arrival  at  Cairo — Home  Again 247 


CONTENTS.  15 


IV.-CONCLUSION. 

CHAPTER    XXX. 
CONCLUSION. 

PAOH 

Mustered  Out— Review  of  Four  Years— Observations  on  the  Prosecution  of  the 
War — Desperation  of  the  Enemy — Neck  or  Nothing — Absurdity  of  the  Milk- 
and-water  Policy— Meanness  of  Northern  Allies  of  Jeff.  Davis— The  Constitu 
tion — Self-Preservation — Traitors  Should  be  Punished — Coming  Events — The 
South  a  Spoiled  Child— Reconstruction— The  Pistol  and  Bowie  Knife  Policy- 
Character  of  the  Men  who  Fought  the  Fight— Bravery  and  Endurance— A 
Just  Cause— Faith  in  God— Overthrow  of  Slavery— The  Future  of  the  Colored 
Race — Southern  Hatred — Oppression — Sworn  Enemies  Should  not  be  Allowed 
to  Control  the  Country— Equality  to  All— No  Danger  of  Collision— The  Nar 
tion's  Needs — A  General  Revival  of  Religion — The  True  Bond  of  Union — Les 
sons  of  the  War. ,.  267 


LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 


. 

CHAPTEFK'  ~   '      -  :'^' 

BOYJXOOD. 

BIRTH-PLACE— REGION  OP  THE  ALLEGHANIES— WILD  BEASTS  OF  THE 
FOREST— VARIOUS  KINDS  OF  REPTILES— THE  RATTLE-SNAKE-MODE 
OF  CAPTURE— GOOD  FOR  FOOD  WHEN  SMOKE-DRIED—GREAT  BAT 
TLE  WITH  SNAKES— VICTORY— FARMING  WORK  — TRAVEL  IN  THE 
MOUNTAINS— EDUCATION  UNDER  DIFFICULTIES— DUTY  TO  PARENTS— 
MY  FATHER,  THOMAS  GREGG,  AN  INVENTIVE  GENIUS— IRON  MANU 
FACTURE—FIRST  CUT  NAILS— ACCOUNT  OF  THE  FIRST  IRON-CLAD 
MONITOR— THE  TRUE  INVENTOR— REVERSES  IN  FORTUNE— THE  "ROCK 
OF  FAITH  "—CONVERSION— EXPERIENCE— A  PRAYING  MOTHER— ON 
THE  VERGE  OF  JORDAN, 

H 

I  WAS  born  in  Fayette  County,  Western  Pennsylvania, 
within  the  wild  ranges  of  the  Alleghany  mountains, 
where  the  howl  of  the  wolf,  the  scream  of  the  panther, 
the  cry  of  the  catamount,  the  barking  of  the  fox,  the 
hooting  of  the  owl,  and  the  wail  of  the  wild  cat,  formed 
a  medley  of  music,  which,  during  the  first  years  of  my 
life,  was  most  familiar  to  my  ears.  My  boyhood's  days 
were  spent  in  friendly  companionship  with  pet  bears, 
2*  17 


18  LIFE   IN   THE   AKMY. 

Birth-place.  Associations.  Rattle-snakes. 

I 

and  familiarity  with  foxes,  racoons,  ground  hogs,  opos 
sums,  rabbits,  and  squirrels.  Besides  this  array  of  ani 
mals,  my  investigations  led  me  into  close  proximity  with 
numerous  classes  of  dangerous  reptiles. 

Among  the  number,  whose  distinguishing  character 
istics,  I  might  name,  were,  the  Black  Snake,  the  Rattle 
snake,  and  thy  Copperhead. 

The  Black  Snake  was  found  often  from  ten  to  twelve 
feet  m  1-ength,  with  a  white  ring  round  the  neck :  this 
species,  were  called  racers  on  account  of  their  great  speed. 
They  are  said  to  possess  the  power  to  charm  young 
children,  birds,  and  small  animals;  yet  they  were  not 
generally  regarded  as  a  very  dangerous  enemy. 

The  Rattle-snake  was  found  in  that  region,  in  large 
numbers.  They  were  about  three  feet  in  length,  and 
sometimes  as  thick  as  a  man's  arm.  They  were  con 
sidered  very  poisonous:  but  from  the  fact  that  they 
usually  give  an  alarm  with  their  rattles,  when  about  to 
strike,  you  can  be  aware  of  their  presence,  and  may  keep 
clear  of  danger.  I  have  frequently  assisted  in  capturing 
the  Rattle-snake,  by  placing  a  forked  stick  over  its  neck, 
and  then  quickly  cutting  off  the  head.  In  this  manner 
the  reptile  so  shunned  and  dreaded,  may  be  turned  to 
some  advantage,  and  I  can  testify  that  when  well  smoked, 
and  cured,  it  is  equal  to  smoked  beef,  and  may  be  eaten, 
as  tender,  palatable,  and  wholesome  food. 

There  were  also  to  be  found  great  dens  of  the  Copper- 
head  Snake,  and  this  species  were  considered  the  most 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  19 


The  Copperhead  Species.  Farm  work.          Travel  in  the  mountains. 

poisonous,  deceptive)  dangerous  and  mean  of  all  the  snake 
family.  And,  strange  to  say,  after  exploring  many 
portions  of  the  Alleghany  mountains  I  never  found 
one  friend  of  the  Copperhead — their  presence  was 
dreaded  by  both  man  and  beast.  I  remember,  while 
a  boy,  having  a  great  pitched  battle  with  a  battalion 
of  them,  and  after  a  closely-contested  engagement, 
gaining  a  complete  victory — by  killing  them  all.  I 
might  have  captured  a  few  of  them  as  prisoners  of 
war,  but,  being  so  well  acquainted  with  their  wicked 
and  deceptive  nature,  I  considered  it  a  very  dangerous 
experiment. 

My  chief  occupation  was  working  on  the  farm  from 
the  age  of  eight  years  until  I  was  seventeen.  I  took 
my  lessons  in  planting  corn,  ploughing  and  harrowing 
among  the  rocks;  manufacturing  sugar,  cider,  apple 
butter  and  sour  krout;  felling  trees,  splitting  rails,  &c., 
&c.  During  this  period  of  time  I  crossed  the  great 
Alleghany  mountains  seventeen  times,  a  distance  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles.  I  had  some  regard  to 
the  fifth  commandment,  and  did  all  in  my  power  to 
honor  and  serve  my  aged  parents.  The  great  amount 
of  healthy  out-door  exercise  I  was  of  necessity  com 
pelled  to  take,  served  a  good  purpose,  in  securing  me 
a  robust  constitution  and  preventing  me  from  becoming 
a  dyspeptic. 

My  early  educational  advantages  were  few  and  far 
between ;  for,  during  my  boyhood,  I  was  only  permitted 
to  attend  school  a  few  weeks  during  the  winter  season  of 


20  LIFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

Education.        Regard  to  parents.        Thomas  Gregg.        Iron  manufacture. 

the  year,  and  even  then,  not  more  than  three  days  out 
of  the  week.  With  the  care  of  the  family  and  farm,  to 
a  great  extent  resting  on  my  young  shoulders,  the  snow 
often  a  foot  to  two  feet  deep,  and  the  school-house  several 
miles  distant,  my  reader  will  perceive  that  my  pursuit 
of  knowledge  was  under  difficulties. 

The  amount  of  education  I  have  been  enabled  to  ac 
quire,  has  been  in  the  hard  school  of  adversity;  for, 
while  other  boys  and  young  men  of  my  acquaintance 
were  enabled  to  attend  school  regularly,  and  graduate  at 
some  college,  I  was  compelled  by  a  sense  of  duty,  and 
the  force  of  circumstances,  to  spend  my  time  in  laboring 
to  maintain  my  parents,  of  whom,  I  deem  it  just  and 
proper  at  this  point  to  introduce  a  short  sketch. 

My  father,  Thomas  Gregg,  was  born  in  New  Castle 
County,  Delaware,  near  the  City  of  Wilmington.  His 
father  and  grandfather  were  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  he  being  brought  up  a  strict  Quaker,  was 
also  a  member  of  that  persuasion.  While  yet  a  young 
man,  after  writing  five  years  for  the  Court  at  New  Castle, 
he  removed  from  his  native  state  to  Western  Pennsylva 
nia,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cut  nails ; 
he  being  the  first  person  who  had  produced  this  article 
in  the  west. 

The  nails  he  made  commanded  twenty-five  cents  per 
pound.  This  was  about  the  year  1802. 

He  also  turned  his  attention  to  making  salt,  but  de 
voted  himself  chiefly  to  iron  manufacture,  and  invented 
the  first  furnace  ever  used  for  smelting  ore  by  the  use  of 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  21 


Inventive  genius.  The  first  iron-clad. 


Anthracite  coal.  Had  he  obtained  a  patent  for  this  im 
portant  discovery,  it  would  have  resulted  in  immense 
advantage  to  him  pecuniarily. 

But  while  absent  in  Delaware,  his  foreman,  who  had 
been  left  in  charge  of  the  works,  to  test  thoroughly  the 
invention,  made  a  clean  sweep  of  all  his  papers,  patterns, 
and  drawings,  and  fled  to  England,  where  he,  and  others 
speedily  became  rich  on  the  results  of  another's  genius. 

My  father,  while  still  an  iron  master,  during  the  war 
of  1812,  turned  his  attention  to  a  subject  which  has 
lately  obtained  the  widest  and'  highest  prominence,  in 
naval  history.  He  actually  invented  and  patented  an 
Iron  Clad  monitor  war  ship.  As  a  matter  of  interest 
and  curiosity  the  following  extract,  giving  some  histori 
cal  facts  relating  to  this  subject  is  introduced : 

A.  BALL  PROOF   VESSEL   IN  1814, 

Thomas  Gregg,  of  Connelsville,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
invented  a  ball  proof  vessel  in  1813,  and  received  a  patent  on 
the  9th  March,  1814,  which  bears  the  names  of  James  Madison, 
President ;  James  Monroe,  Secretary  of  State ;  and  Richard 
Rush,  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States.  This  patent  was 
renewed  in  1837. 

On  the  Journal  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  Thursday, 
March  24th,  1814,  may  be  found  the  following  account  of  pro 
ceedings  : 

"  Mr.  Wilson  presented  a  memorial  of  Thomas  Gregg,  of 
Pennsylvania,  stating,  that,  he  has  invented  a  new  ball  proof 
vessel,  or  floating  batteiy,  and  presenting  a  model  for  the  Exa 
mination  of  Congress,  and  requesting  that  its  efficiency  may  be 
tested  by  experiment.  Ordered,  that  the  said  memorial  be  re 
ferred  to  the  Committee  on  Naval  affairs. ' ' 


22  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 


A  Bull  Proof  Vessel  in  1814. 


On  Friday,  March  25th,  1814,  Mr.  Lowndes  of  South  Carolina, 
moved  that  the  Committee  on  Naval  affairs  be  discharged  from 
the  consideration  of  the  petition  of  Thomas  Gregg,  and  that  it 
be  referred  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  This  "Mr.  Lowndes" 
conceived- a  prejudice  against  the  invention,  and  became,  without 
reason  an  enemy  to  Mr.  Gregg,  using  all  Ijis  influence  to  defeat 
his  plans. 

The  model  presented,  was  burned  in  1836, 

Commodore  Dupont,  of  Delaware,  did  on  one  occasion  put  this 
vessel  to  a  severe  test ;  and  was  much  pleased  with  the  principle. 

He  wrote  to  the  Hon.  Messrs.  A.  Stewart  and  D.  Surgen,  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  Hon.  Messrs.  John  M.  Clayton  and  R  Bayard 
of  Delaware,  commending  to  their  favorable  notice  this  valuable 
invention,  and  they  all  concurred  in  his  opinion. 

A  short  extract  from  the  full  description  and  explanations  laid 
before  the  Authorities,  and  approved  by  scientific  men,  will  give 
the  reader  some  notion  of  the  vessel:  "The  object  is,  to  make 
the  vessel  ball  proof,  and  impenetrable.  In  construction,  it  is 
framed  on  an  angle  of  about  eighteen  degrees,  all  round  the  hull. 
The  top  timbers  elevate  the  balls,  and  the  lower  ones  are  designed 
to  direct  them  under  the  keel.  The  power  is  applied  between  the 
keels,  where  there  is  a  concave  formed  to  receive  the  motive  ma 
chinery.  The  power  may  be  reversed  to  propel  the  vessel  either 
way.  The  elevation  of  her  timbers,  will  be  proportioned  by  her 
keel  and  tonnage. 

This  principle  protects  men  and  machinery  effectually,  and  is 
capable  of  performing  more  service  than  any  four  vessels  now  in 
use,  and  at  one-fourth  the  usual  expense  of  even  one  ordinary 
ship  of  war,  as  only  eight  or  ten  guns  are  needed,  and  men  in 
proportion." 

This  principle  would  have  saved  the  government  in  1814, 
$500,000,  had  it  been  fairly  tested,  as  the  "Fulton' '  boat  proved  a 
perfect  failure,  which  cost  that  amount:  besides,  what  an  immense 
saving  there  would  have  been  in  human  life,  as  well  as  treasure. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  23 


A  curious  history.      The  true  invention.        Merit  unrewarded.        Reverses. 

Congress  should  look  into  this  matter.  Mr.  Gregg  spent  a 
large  amount  of  money  in  his  efforts  to  benefit  the  government, 
and  like  many  of  the  truly  original  men  of  the  country,  amassed 
nothing,  and  died  comparatively  poor.  A  liberal  appropriation 
should  be  made  to  his  widow,  who  is  in  circumstances  to  appre 
ciate  such  generosity — or,  as  it  would  be  in  truth  an  act  of  sheer 
justice. 

Had  Thomas  Gregg  lived  until  these  days,  he,  and  not  the  par 
ties  who  borrowed  his  idea,  would  have  been  recognized  as  the 
inventor  of  "  Iron  Clads." 

My  father  always  said  that  his  invention  would 
only  be  useful  for  harbor  defence.  This  idea,  time  and 
experience  seems  to  have  confirmed,  during  the  past 
three  years,  and  the  judgment  of  the  original  inventor, 
is  the  conclusion  of  most  scientific  men  to-day. 

While  sharp  competition  has  been  carried  on  both  in 
France,  England  and  this  country,  as  to  who  is  entitled 
to  the  credit  of  this  invention  which  promises  to  revolu 
tionize  the  old  established  system  of  naval  warfare,  I 
humbly  submit,  that  a  reference  to  the  records  of  the 
Patent  Office  at  Washington,  and  to  some  witnesses  who 
are  still  living,  will  incontestably  establish  the  claim  of 
Thomas  Gregg,  and  do  justice  to  his  genius,  as  the  real 
inventor. 

At  one  time  my  father  was  comparatively  wealthy, 
but  the  hand  of  Providence  swept  away  the  fortune  he 
toiled  to  build  up.  To  this  he  submitted  witb  becoming 
philosophy  and  fortitude,  and  he  afterwards  attributed, 
to  this  event  such  a  change  in  his  views,  as  led  him  to 


24  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 


Kock  of  faith.  Conversion.  Experience. 

give  attention  to  the  concerns  of  his  soul,  and  to  seek 
the  salvation  of  God. 

He  was  converted  on  the  23d  of  March,  1845,  upon 
the  summit  of  a  high  mountain,  near  his  residence.  The 
spot  was  notable  as  being  near  a  large  rock.  This  he  af 
terwards  called  the  "  rock  of  faith."  The  following  verses 
written  by  him  convey  some  account  of  his  experience : 

Burdened  with  ain,  with  guilt  distressed, 

I  searched  in  vain  for  full  release ; 
But  still  the  weight  was  on  my  breast, 

I  found  no  joy,  or  lasting  peace. 

I  wandered  to  one  quiet  spot, 

And  mused  with  sadness  day  by  day, 
The  mercy  of  my  God  I  sought, 

And  lingered  there  to  weep  and  pray. 

One  evening,  and  the  sun  went  down, 

The  moon  and  stars  came  out  above, 
And  wrestling  there  with  doubt  and  gloom, 

I  longed  to  know  a  Saviour's  love. 

A  trembling  seized  upon  my  frame, 

In  agony  I  prayed  that  night, 
When  to  my  troubled  spirit  came — 

The  answer,  as  a  flash  of  light ! 

With  heavenly  joy  my  heart  o'erflow'd, 
My  tongue  unloosed,  began  to  praise 

The  goodness  of  a  pardoning  God- 
To  him  this  monument  I  raise. 

Now  journeying  on  in  blessed  hope, 

With  all  my  powers  to  Jesus  given, 
I  trust  his  grace  to  raise  me  up 

Redeemed,  and  saved,  at  last  to  heaven. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  25 


Death  of  rny  father.  A  praying  mother.  Her  death. 

He  became  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  after  his  conversion,  and  spent  the  remnant  of 
an  eventful  life  in  the  service  of  God.  He  died  on  the 
3d  day  of  January,  1854,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of 
his  age,  and  as  I  trust,  and  believe,  ripe  and  ready  for  an 
entrance  into  the  mansions  of  rest. 

My  mother  was  born  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  and  be 
came,  at  an  early  age,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
to  which  her  parents  were  attached.  She  still  lingers  on 
the  shores  of  time  at  the  age  of  seventy-six,  waiting  in 
Christian  hope  until  her  change  come.  She  has  been 
emphatically  "  a  praying  mother,"  presenting -her  chil 
dren  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  devoted  to  their  happi 
ness  and  welfare.  I  might  add  much,  in  relation  to  her 
faith  in  Divine  Providence,  and  her  bright  experience, 
after  life  is  ended,  that  she  will  rest  with  Jesus.  She 
has  since  gone  to  glory,  and  I  take  the  liberty  of.adding 
an  account  of  her  death :  Died  in  Connellsville,  Pa., 
January  14th,  1867,  Mrs.  Margaret  Gregg,  in  the 
seventy-eighth  year  of  her  age.  Converted  to  God  in 
early  life,  Mrs.  Gregg  maintained  in  its  beauty,  for  more 
than  fifty  years,  the  loveliness  of  a  faithful  and  con 
sistent  Christian  character.  She  lived  to  see  the  conse 
cration  of  two  of  her  sons  to  the  ministry — Revs.  Joseph 
and  John  C.  Gregg,  members  of  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
fernce.  She  was  truly  a  mother  in  Israel,  and  at  the  time 
of  departure  her  soul  seemed  to  leap  across  the  chasm 
which  separates  us  from  eternity  and  catch  the  inspiration 
so  vividly  that  her  farewell  words  were  "  Glory !  glory !" 

3 


26  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


Visit  to  Delaware.  Conviction. 


CHAPTER    II. 
CONVERSION. 

VISIT  TO  RELATIONS  NEAR  WILMINGTON,  DEL.— CONVICTION  OF  SIN— A 
MOTHER'S  PRAYERS— ABOUT  TO  FLEE  LIKE  JONAH— ATTENDED  PRO 
TRACTED  MEETING— SERMON  BY  DR.  CASTLE— BECAME  A  PUBLIC 
SEEKER  OF  RELIGION— REV.  S.  W.  THOMAS— CONVERSION— PROMPT 
INGS  TO  DO  GOOD— RETURN  TO  PENNSYLVANIA— THE  FAMILY  ALTAR- 
NEIGHBORS  CONVERTED— THOUGHTS  ABOUT  THE  MINISTRY— EDUCA 
TION  PROFFERED  BY  THE  EPISCOPALIANS. 

IN  the  spring  of  1848,  I  left  my  Pennsylvania  home 
to  visit  my  uncles,  who  resided  on  their  farms  near 
Wilmington,  Del.,  and  it  was  while  I  was  in  that  neigh 
borhood  that  I  became  a  subject  of  the  saving  grace 
of  God.  Among  the  numerous  instrumentalities  that 
were  employed  in  leading  me  to  see  the  error  of  my 
ways,  and  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart  I  attribute 
to  the  unceasing  prayers  of  my  mother  the  most  import 
ant  part.  While  she  was  engaged  pleading  for  me  at  a 
throne  of  grace,  the  Spirit  powerfully  followed  me,  and 
convinced  me  of  sin.  For  three  months  I  sought  religion 
in  a  secret  way,  and  sincerely  desired  to  become  a  true 
Christian.  I  had  been  raised  to  believe  in  a  very  quiet 
kind  of  religion.  I  was  opposed  to  noise  and  excitement, 
and  wanted  the  blessing  in  my  own  way;  but  like 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  27 


A  Jonah.  Seeking  religion. 


thousands  who  presume  to  arrange  for  themselves  the 
mode  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  operation,  I  found  no  peace. 

I  determined  at  this  juncture,  to  go  to  sea,  and  in 
formed  a  pious  aunt  and  my  brother,  of  what  I  had 
made  up  my  mind  to  do.  They  understood  my  case, 
and  although  I  had  not  revealed  to  them  the  state  of  my 
feelings,  and  the  burden  that  lay  heavy  on  my  heart,  yet 
they  suspected  the  cause  of  my  restlessness,  and  at  once 
united  in  efforts  to  dissuade  me  from  the  course  I  was 
about  to  take.  They  invited  and  urged  me  to  accompany 
them  to  a  protracted  meeting  then  in  progress  at  Mt. 
Salem  M.  E.  Church  near  the  City  of  Wilmington. 
Here  my  prejudice  against  night  meetings  afforded  me  a 
pretext  to  refuse,  but  my  kind  aunt  persisted  in  her 
arguments  until  I  had  to  consent,  out  of  respect  for  her, 
to  accompany  them  to  the  meeting.  I  took  my  seat 
back  near  the  door,  and  listened  to  the  sermon.  During 
the  prayer-meeting,  no  less  than  five  different  ministers 
approached  me,  and  urged  me  to  seek  salvation.  My 
friends  had  doubtless  sent  them  to  me,  but  I  would  not 
yield  that  night.  I  promised  the  last  one  that  talked 
with  me,  however,  that  if  he  would  let  me  alone,  I  would 
think  about  the  matter,  and  probably  go  forward  the 
following  night:  accordingly,  the  next  night  I  attended 
with  my  aunt,  and  heard  a  sermon  preached  by  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Castle,  D.  D.,  which  made  a  deep  impression 
on  my  mind.  At  its  close  the  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Thomas 
invited  me  to  the  altar,  saying  he  would  go  with  me.  I 
then  abandoned  all  my  preconceived  notions  and  preju- 


28  LIFE    IN   THE   AEMY. 

First  impressions.  Doing  good. 

dices,  and  rose  up,  and  was  soon  bowed  at  the  altar 
of  prayer,  crying  to  God  for  mercy.  I  think  I  should 
have  been  blessed  in  a  few  moments,  but  Satan  whispered 
"not  now."  The  following  night  I  was  again  at  the 
altar,  a  great  work  was  in  progress,  the  meeting  continued 
until  a  late  hour,  and  between  11  and  12  o'clock,  God 
for  Christ's  sake,  converted  my  soul,  and  gave  me  such 
a  clear  evidence,  that  I  have  never  doubted  from  that 
hour  to  the  present,  the  divine  change  wrought  in  my 
heart. 

The  very  first  emotions  of  my  mind  were  to  urge  and 
invite  others  to  come  to  Christ.  I  joined  the  Mt.  Salem 
Church  the  following  Sabbath,  October  1st,  1849,  and 
felt  it  to  be  my  duty  and  privilege  to  engage  in  distribu 
ting  religious  books  and  tracts,  in  which  work  I  continued 
for  several  months.  I  then  returned  to  Western  Penn 
sylvania  to  visit  my  former  home,  and  enjoyed  happy 
seasons  with  my  dear  aged  mother,  in  family  prayer  and 
religious  communion.  My  heart  was  stirred  to  recom 
mend  a  crucified  Saviour  to  my  neighbors  and  friends, 
among  whom  I  had  been  brought  up,  and  the  Lord 
owned  my  humble  instrumentality  in  a  very  signal 
manner.  I  conducted  a  protracted  meeting  where  dis 
plays  of  divine  power  in  awakening  and  conversion, 
were  often  witnessed,  and  a  number  of  my  associates 
were  made  to  rejoice  in  God. 

A  conviction  rested  on  my  mind  that  I  ought  to  give 
myself  wholly  to  the  work  of  calling  sinners  to  repent 
ance.  This  I  resisted,  having  no  desire  to  become  a 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  29 


Call  to  preach.  A  kind  offer. 


minister  of  the  gospel ;  yet  I  prayed  to  be  directed  in 
the  right  way.  It  had  often  been  intimated  to  me,  even 
before  I  was  converted,  that  my  future  course  would  be 
that  of  a  preacher.  While  I  was  halting  at  this  point, 
and  refusing  to  go  forward  in  the  road  Providence  seemed 
to  indicate,  the  members  of  the  church,  who  had  known 
me  all  my  life,  took  up  my  case,  and  recommended  me 
for  license  to  exhort. 

I  can  look  back  on  a  strict  moral  life  from  my  youth 
up,  and  can  testify,  that  from  my  childhood,  the  Spirit 
of  God  strove  with  me.  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
praying  night  and  morning,  during  my  entire  life,  before 
I  became  experimentally  a  Christian.  Often  the  impres 
sion  crossed  my  mind  that  God  had  something  for  me  to 
do  in  the  world,  yet  the  distinct  idea  of  becoming  a 
Christian  minister,  was  something  I  could  not  realize. 
It  seemed  so  sacred,  and  so  exalted,  as  to  be  far  beyond 
my  attainment.  I  have  been  led,  since  that  time,  to 
believe,  that  a  call  to  preach  the  gospel  comes  not  only 
to  the  individual  ear  and  conscience,  but  that  there  is  a 
concurrent  feeling  and  conviction  in  the  church  and 
community  in  every  case,  which  will  clearly  foreshadow 
the  true  line  of  duty  to  one  who  is  timid  in  regard  to 
this  important  matter. 

About  this  time  a  proposition  was  made  by  the  Epis 
copal  Church,  to  give  me  an  education  for  the  ministry 
of  that  denomination,  but  circumstances  shaped  my 
course  in  another  direction,  whether  to  my  loss  or  gain, 
eternity  must  disclose. 
3* 


30  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 


Second  Visit  to  Delaware.  Beginning  to  preach. 


CHAPTER    III. 

PREACHING. 

SECOND  VISIT  TO  DELAWARE— SCHOOL  TEACHING— SMYRNA  CIRCUIT- 
LICENSE  TO  PREACH  — SENT  TO  GREENSBOROUGH  CIRCUIT  — DR. 
QUIGLEY— REV.  J.  B.  AYERS— HAPPY  TIMES— NUMBERS  CONVERTED— 
ACCOMAC,  VIRGINIA— REV.  D.  DAILEY— REV.  CHARLES  HILL— DIF 
FICULTIES  WITH  SLAVEHOLDERS— REV.  A.  WALLACE— A  SUCCESS 
FUL  YEAR. 

IN  the  summer  of  1852,  I  again  visited  my  uncle's, 
in  Delaware,  and  engaged  in  teaching  a  school  in  Kent 
County,  within  th§  bounds  of  the  Smyrna  Circuit. 

Here  I  was  invited  to  assist  the  preachers  in  their 
Sabbath  work,  and  began  to  attempt  in  an  humble  way 
preaching  the  glorious  gospel  of  salvation.  One  Sabbath 
evening,  at  the  commencement  of  a  protracted  meeting 
at  a  place  named  Kenton,  I  tried  to  preach,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  was  present;  seventeen  persons  came  for 
ward  as  seekers  of  religion,  and  five  of  them  were  that 
night  happily  converted. 

Thus  in  Delaware,  as  well  as  Pennsylvania,  God 
blessed  my  labors,  before  I  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
it  is  my  firm  conviction,  that  every  member  of  the 
church  ought  to  work  for  Christ,  in  seeking  to  save  souls, 
and  they  would  be  rewarded  with  much  fruit,  if  active 
in  the  cause. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  31 


Greensborough  Circuit. 


At  the  last  Quarterly  Conference  of  this  year  for 
Smyrna  Circuit,  I  was  examined,  and  received  license  as 
a  Local  preacher  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  Eev.  T.  J. 
Quigley,  D.  D.  was  the  Presiding  Elder,  and  Rev.  Bro 
thers  T.  Newman  and  Joseph  Gregg  the  traveling 
preachers  on  the  circuit. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  I  was  sent  as  junior  preacher, 
with  Rev.  J.  B.  Ayers  in  charge,  to  Greensborough  Cir 
cuit.  We  had  a  pleasant  and  profitable  year's  work, 
having  had  over  one  hundred  souls  converted  and  added 
to  the  church.  I  received  much  kindness  from  Dr. 
Quigley  and  Bro.  Ayers  during  this  year ;  both  are  true 
friends  and  wise  counsellors  of  young  men. 

In  the  spring  of  1854,  I  was  employed  by  Rev.  D. 
Dailey,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Snow  Hill  District,  and 
appointed  to  Accomac  Circuit,  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia. 
The  Rev.  C.  Hill  was  preacher  in  charge,  and  a  finer 
colleague  no  young  man  need  ever  desire.  God  blessed 
our  labors  during  the  year  with  some  revivals,  although 
vice  and  sin  abounded,  and  some  of  the  people,  who 
profess  godliness,  were  so  wedded  to  the  idol  of  slavery, 
and  so  sensitive  when  strangers  were  among  them,  that 
they  were  more  ready  to  watch  for,  and  abuse  abolition 
ists  than  to  say  their  prayers.  Some  of  this  class  pro 
fessed  not  to  like  me,  because  they  suspected  my  prin 
ciples,  which  were  to  befriend  their  poor  oppressed  and 
neglected  slaves ;  and  I  can  assure  them  there  was  no 
love  lost.  They  respected  me  fully  as  much  as  I  could 
find  it  in  my  heart  to  esteem  any  man  or  woman,  who 


32  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Sensitive  slaveholders.  End  of  the  wicked. 

claimed  absolute  ownership  in  human  beings,  made  and 
redeemed  by  the  same  God  and  Saviour  with  themselves, 
and  who  without  the  least  compunction,  bought,  sold, 
traded,  whipped,  and  ruthlessly  separated  families  of 
these  suffering  people,  as  if  they  had  no  feelings  of 
attachment  to  localities,  or  relations,  among  themselves. 

The  accursed  spirit  of  slavery,  which  subsequently 
culminated  in  the  great  rebellion,  was  a  fruitful  source 
of  strife  at  that  time  in  Accomac.  Misrepresentations 
and  slanders  were  originated  there  about  me,  which  for 
some  years  were  retailed  about,  and  repeated  to  my  dis 
paragement  by  some  of  my  own  brethren,  before  the 
Philadelphia  Conference. 

Time  has  wrought  wondrous  changes  in  old  Virginia. 
"Where  are  now  the  "  bullies"  and  "  rowdies,"  who  used 
to  go  about  to  our  meetings,  cursing  the  Methodist 
preachers,  and  calling  them  opprobrious  names  ?  Gone 
in  the  whirlwind  of  the  rebellion !  Dead !  most  of  them, 
having  fallen  under  a  traitor's  flag,  and  their  blasphemies 
with  them  down  to  a  rebel's  grave !  And  the  man  they 
would  have  lynched,  still  lives,  and  lives  to  rejoice  over 
the  downfall  of  rebeldom,  and  the  extirpation  from  this 
fair  land  of  slavery. 

To  the  glory  of  God,  I  record  the  conversion  of  over 
one  hundred  immortal  souls,  that  eventful  year.  With 
my  beloved  colleague  I  labored  in  harmony,  and  spent 
many  pleasant  hours  with  Rev.  Adam  Wallace,  on  the 
adjacent  charge.  He  has  been,  since  the  first  day  I  knew 
him  my  steadfast  friend,  and  I  hope  our  acquaintance 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  33 


Rev.  A.  Wallace.  Rev.  D.  Dailey. 


begun  on  earth,  may  be  continued  throughout  an  endless 
eternity.  To  him  I  accord  the  praise  justly  due,  for  his 
candor,  in  showing  me  the  faults  and  deficiencies  of 
character  which,  in  common  with  most  young  men,  re 
tarded  ^my  progress  and  usefulness.  His  words  to  me 
have  often  been  the  counsels  of  a  true  friend  and  brother. 
I  have  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  correspondence  with  him 
through  all  the  subsequent  years  and  changing  events 
of  my  career  thus  far.  I  collected  one  hundred  dollars 
during  the  year  for  my  venerable  Presiding  Elder,  Bro 
ther  Dailey,  to  assist  him  in  buying  a  home  for  himself 
and  wife.  Soon  after  this  year  he  retired  from  the 
active  work,  and  has  since  died  and  gone  to  glory. 


34  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 


Received  on  trial.  Berlin  Circuit. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

USE  ITINERANCY. 

RECEIVED  ON  TRIAL  IN  THE  PHILADELPHIA  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE- 
APPOINTED  TO  BERLIN  CIRCUIT,  MD.— REV.  WM.  MERRILL— RESULTS 
OF  PROTRACTED  MEETINGS— LARGE  INCREASE— CONFERENCE  OF  1856 
—APPOINTED  TO  CHURCH  CREEK  CIRCUIT  WITH  REV.  H.  SANDERSON 
—NEW  SABBATH  SCHOOLS  ORGANIZED— CIRCULATION  OF  PERIODI 
CALS—ELECTION  DAY— A  YOUNG  LAWYER  SNUBBED— CAMP  MEETING 
SCENES— A  DISTURBER  SETTLED. 

IN  the  spring  of  1855,  I  was  received  on  trial  by  the 
Philadelphia  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Epis 
copal  Church,  a  body  of  ministers,  who  for  intelligence, 
patriotism,  and  zeal,  are  not  surpassed  in  the  known 
world.  The  honor  of  having  my  name  on  the  record  of 
such  a  body  I  estimate  as  the  highest  which  man  can 
aspire  to  on  earth.  With  this  privilege,  however,  there 
are  responsibilities  which  may  well  lead  a  young  man  to 
inquire  "  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?" 

My  appointment  was  announced  with  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Merrill,  for  Berlin  Circuit  in  Worcester  County,  Mary 
land.  This  was  a  large  and  laborious  field  of  labor. 
Extra  meetings  began  in  September,  and  were  continued 
until  the  following  March.  All  the  churches  were 
visited  in  turn,  and  the  result  of  revival  efforts  was 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  35 


Conference  of  1856.  Church  Creek.  Discomforts. 

about  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  souls  who  professed 
to  be  converted  to  God,  two  hundred  of  whom  united 
with  the  church  on  probation. 

I  was  greatly  encouraged  this  year  by  such  wonderful 
scenes  of  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  as  were  witnessed 
all  around  us.  My  colleague  labored  hard  and  with 
great  success*. 

-At  the  conference  commencing  March  26th,  1856,  I 
enjoyed  happy  seasons,  intermingling  with  my  brethren, 
and  at  its  close  received  my  next  appointment  to 
Church  Creek  Circuit,  with  the  Rev.  Henry  Sanderson, 
as  preacher  in  charge, 

This  circuit  was  about  thirty  miles  in  extent,  and 
embraced  some  ten  or  twelve  appointments.  Several  of 
these  were  on  little  islands,  to  reach  which,  we  had 
to  traverse  marshes,  and  use  the  indispensable  canoe. 
In  the  summer  season,  the  people  were  greatly  pestered 
with  mosquitoes,  and  myriads  of  other  flies,  which 
kwarrned  in  every  place,  irritating  both  man  and  beast, 
sometimes  to  a  degree  of  frenzy.  *In  the  winter,  this 
region  of  the  country  was  very  desolate,  and  the  roads 
were  in  shocking  condition  with  mud.  Yet  we  had  a 
successful  year's  work,  and  took  into  church  fellowship 
over  one  hundred. 

Three  new  Sabbath  Schools  were  organized,  and  a  fine 
large  list  of  subscribers  obtained  for  our  excellent  Church 
paper,  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal.  The  peo 
ple  we  found  to  be  warm-hearted,  hospitable,  and  very 
kind.  The  spirit  of  secession  which  I  learn,  has  since 


36  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Election  day.  The  rights  of  man. 

that  time,  turned  many  away  from  the  old  paths,  had 
not  then  begun  its  diabolical  work. 

On  election  day  I  went  to  the  polls,  to  do  what  every 
good  citizen  has  the  right  to  do — that  is,  vote.  A  young 
limb  of  the  law,  assumed  to  be  dictator  as  to  whether, 
and  where  I  ought  to  vote.  His  interference  on  that 
occasion,  reacted  slightly  on  his  own  head.  I  felt  my 
manhood,  doubled  my  fist,  and  after  giving  him  the 
benefit  of  a  short  special  sermon,  coolly  walked  up  and 
deposited  my  ballot  in  the  name  of  constitutional  liberty. 
Had  the  gentleman  supposed  I  was  going  to  vote  for  his 
favorite,  James  Buchanan,  there  would  have  been  no 
objection.  And  this  is  the  reason  some  shallow-pated 
partizans  raise  the  hue  and  cry  against  Methodist 
preachers  being  politicians,  because  they  dare  act  for 
themselves,  and  be  independent,  and  far  seeing  enough 
not  to  be  led  by  the  nose  in  this  matter. 

We  held  a  Camp  Meeting  this  year,  and  among  other 
incidents  which  I  recall,  was  one  of  a  poor  ignorant, 
vicious  fellow,  who  persisted  in  coming  in  around  the 
altar,  interrupting  the  exercises,  until,  as  a  religious 
necessity  I  had  to  drag  him  forth,  and  pitch  him  over  a 
fence. 

It  was  my  rule  at  all  our  protracted  meetings,  to  keep 
the  peace,  when  disorderly  characters  were  around,  and 
threatening  to  be  troublesome.  God  has  given  me  a 
stout  frame,  and  a  strong  arm,  and  the  rowdies  generally 
gave  me  a  wide  berth,  when  we  were  likely  to  come  to 
close  quarters. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  37 


Ordained  a  deacon.  Bishop  Waugh. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHURCH  BUILDING. 

ORDAINED  DEACON— A  "  BREAK  NECK  HILL"  APPOINTMENT— CHARACTER 
OF  BLACKWATER  CIRCUIT— WHISKY  DRINKING  PEOPLE— THE  BLUES 
—MY  FIRST  SABBATH— GLOOMY  PROSPECT— GOOD  RESOLUTIONS- 
ACTIVE  WORK— THREE  CHURCHES  TO  BE  REBUILT— ONE  NEW  CHURCH 
TO  BE  ERECTED— THE  WORK  BEGINS,  PROCEEDS— AND  IS  COMPLETED— 
DEDICATION  OF  AIREY'S  CHAPEL— FREEBORN  GARRETSON-OLD  TIMES- 
DOCTORS  ROBERTS  AND  WILLIAMS— SUCCESS— DEDICATION  OF  SCOTT'S 
CHAPEL— GRIFFITHS— REVIVAL— A  HARVEST  TIME— THE  NEW  CHURCH 
—REV.  A  MANSHIP— "  GREGG  CHAPEL"— A  GOOD  DEDICATION— CAMP 
MEETING— ARRAY  OF  PREACHERS— GREAT  POWER— SUMMING  UP  OF  A 
SUCCESSFUL  YEAR— SECOND  YEAR  ON  BLACKWATER  CIRCUIT— 
ANOTHER  CAMP  MEETING— MINISTERS  PRESENT— OPPOSITION,  AND 
THE  WEAPONS  USED  TO  CONQUER  IT— REV.  DR.  THOMPSON— CLOSE  OF 
MY  TERM. 

AT  the  Conference  in  the  spring  of  1857 — after  due 
examination,  and  a  solemn  charge  from  the  presiding 
Bishop,  I  was  received  into  full  connection,  and  elected, 
and  ordained  a  Deacon  in  the  Church  of  God,  by  the 
venerable  Bishop  Waugh.  My  destination  this  year  was 
a  little  circuit  called  "  Blackwater,"  embracing  part  of 
Dorchester  County,  Md.,  and  lying  between  Cambridge 
and  Vienna.  I  had  been  looking  over  the  pages  of  a 
book  entitled  "  My  Father  Braddock,"  and  thought  the 
title  and  description  of  "  Break  neck  hill"  appointment, 


LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 


Discouragement.  First  Sabbath. 


suited  my  new  field  of  labor  exactly.  There  were,  all 
told  but  seventeen  members,  that  I  could  identify  in  the 
whole  charge,  and  most  of  them  were  poor  in  circum 
stances,  and  unable  to  do  much  toward  my  support. 

The  few  churches  were  in  a  miserably  dilapidated 
condition,  and  through  long  neglect,  for  they  were  cut 
off  from  adjacent  circuits,  and  set  adrift,  it  was  difficult 
to  draw  the  people  together  to  hear  preaching.  Indeed 
I  was  informed  on  my  way  to  this  locality,  that  the 
favorite  Sunday  pastime  of  the  people  was  hunting 
musk  rats,  and  drinking  whisky,  a  representation  which 
I  found  by  actual  observation  to  be  not  far  from  the 
truth. 

This  was  then  properly  a  mission  field,  but  there  was 
no  appropriation  made  towards  its  cultivation,  and  I  had 
to  take  the  situation  of  things  as  I  found  them,  go  to 
work  with  all  rny  might,  or  turn  away  discouraged,  and 
cease  to  be  a  traveling  preacher.  At  first  I  was  dis 
heartened.  I  had  thoughts  which  were  not  at  all  compli 
mentary  to  those  by  whose  authority  I  had  been  appointed. 
The  Presiding  Elders  and  the  Bishop,  I  suppose,  sent 
me,  and  it  was  a  strong  conviction  in  my  mind  for  a  time, 
that  somebody  had  made  a  mistake.  Filled  with  gloom 
I  repaired  to  my  work,  and  shall  never  forget  my  first 
Sabbath's  labors.  It  was  a  rainy,  dull,  morning  ;  about 
twenty  persons  were  out  to  hear  the  new  preacher.  The 
rain  poured  down,  the  house  leaked  badly,  the  doors 
were  off  the  hinges,  and  things  in  general  were  in  an 
unhinged  state. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  39 


The  "  blues."  Philosophy,  Good  out  of  evil. 

Cheerfulness  predominates  in  my  disposition,  and  it 
was  well  for  me  that  day  that  I  was  enabled  to  look  on 
the  brightest  side  of  the  case,  and  avoid  a  severe  attack 
of  the  blues.  A  kind-hearted  gentleman  invited  me 
home  with  him  to  dinner,  and  the  continued  rain  pre 
vented  my  filling  the  afternoon  appointment. 

While  musing  in  that  gentleman's  parlor  that  gloomy 
Sunday,  I  thought  of  the  happiness  of  my  previous  years, 
and  contrasted  them  with  my  present  prospects,  until  my 
reflections  began  to  take  a  sour  turn,  and  I  was  tempted 
to  think,  with  the  enemies  of  our  Methodist  economy, 
that  injustice  and  oppression  are  often  the  only  reward 
of  faithful  labor,  and  a  wide  departure  from  the  strict 
impartiality  we  should  expect  in  the  appointing  power, 
is  bearing  hard  on  some,  while  others  are  favored,  flat 
tered,  and  always  receive  choice  appointments.  I  con 
fess  to  be  somewhat  ashamed  now  to  recall  the  course  of 
my  reflections.  I  ought  to  have  remembered  that  some 
one  must  go  to  the  poor  places^ — that  no  place  was  so 
wretched  that  it  might  not  be  made  better,  and  that 
what  seems  darkest  to  us,  is  God's  way  to  prove  our 
faith,  and  bless  our  souls.  The  result  of  two  years  on 
this  little  cast-off  charge,  now  convinces  me,  as  it  will 
the  most  sceptical,  that  Divine  Providence  rules  our  ap 
pointments,  and  in  no  place  within  our  bounds,  could  I 
have  found  a  field  of  toil  more  ripe  for  the  harvest,  or 
better  adapted  to  my  temperament,  and  personal  reli 
gious  improvement,  than  "Blackwater  Circuit." 

I   saw  that  something  must  be  done  to   make   the 


40  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

"  Rise  up  and  build."  Airey's  Chapel. 

churches  attractive  and  comfortable ;  to  rouse  up  the 
people  to  exertion  and  hope ;  and  inspire  them  with  for 
titude,  as  well  as  myself,  in  meeting  the  apparently  in 
surmountable  difficulties,  by  which  we  seemed  to  be  sur 
rounded.  So,  after  prayer  to  God  for  assistance  and 
direction,  I  remembered  the  days  of  Nehemiah,  and  re 
solved  that  I  would  try  to  build  up  the  walls  and  waste 
places  of  Zion,  trusting  in  his  God  for  help. 

I  soon  found  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  people,  and  en 
gaged  workmen  to  superintend  the  rebuilding  of  three 
of  our  old  churches,  named  Airey's,  Scott's  and  Grif 
fith's,  and  also  procured  a  builder  from  Baltimore  to 
•  erect  a  new  church  at  a  point  where  it  was  agreed  that 
we  needed  and  must  have  a  place  of  worship.  I  soon 
found  my  hands  full,  with  four  churches  under  way, 
and  the  workmen  all  looking  to  me  for  the  money  ne 
cessary  to  meet  expenses,  as  they  accrued  every  week. 
I  was  enabled  by  driving  early  and  late,  to  meet  my  en 
gagements,  and  satisfy  all  parties.  The  work  had  to  be 
done  with  the  best  materials,  and  in  the  best  manner, 
and  in  due  time  we  rejoiced  together  over  our  complete 
success. 

Airey's  Chapel  was  originally  named  after  the  family 
of  that  name,  who  were  the  early  and  steadfast  friends 
of  Freeborn  Garretson,  and  it  was  in  this  vicinity  that 
he  was  arrested  for  preaching  the  Gospel,  by  the  Sheriff 
of  Dorchester  County,  and  carried  to  Cambridge  jail, 
from  which  he  preached  and  exhorted  the  people  through 
the  iron  bars  of  his  prison-window,  until  they  were  com- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  41 


Dedication.  Scott's  Chapel. 


pelled  to  release  him,  and  let  him  proceed  on  his  mis 
sion,  as  the  pioneer  of  Methodism  through  this  region 
of  country. 

I  felt  it  to  be  no  insignificant  honor  that  the  work  of 
rebuilding  this  old  time-honored  and  historical  church 
devolved  on  me.  The  amount  expended  on  it  was  five 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

We  secured  the  services  of  the  Eev.  Dr.  Eoberts, 
of  Baltimore,  and  the  Eev.  Dr.  Williams,  of  Corners- 
ville,  Maryland,  for  the  dedication ;  both  preached  with 
power ;  we  had  a  glorious  time,  and  every  cent  of  the 
indebtedness  was  cheerfully  raised  at  the  morning  ser 
vice. 

Scott's  Chapel  about  the  same  time  was  completed,  at 
a  cost  of  about  five  hundred  and  forty  dollars,  and  was 
rededicated  by  the  Eev.  J.  Dickerson  of  the  Philadelphia 
Conference ;  Eev.  John  Hersey,  and  the  Eev.  Dr.  Thomp 
son  of  Cambridge,  also  giving  their  aid ;  we  all  felt 
happy;  for  Christ  was  in  our  midst,  and  this  church, 
like  Airey's,  was  presented  to  God  free  of  debt.  In  con 
nection  with  this  building  there  was  a  tract  of  land 
which  had  been  donated  to  the  church,  but  which  a  cer 
tain  person  claimed  to  belong  to  him.  We  had  to 
"  Sheriff"  him  to  obtain  our  rights,  and  succeeded  in 
regaining  the  property,  clearing  up  our  title,  and  making 
this  covetous  party  pay  the  costs  of  the  suit. 

Our  new  Church  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Nanti- 
coke  Eiver  was  duly  finished,  and  the  day  of  dedication 
appointed.  This  service  was  performed  by  the  excellent 

4  * 


42  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Rev.  A.  Manship.  Gregg  Chapel. 

and  original  Eev.  Andrew  Manship  of  the  Philadelphia 
Conference. 

Although  the  weather  turned  out  to  be  unfavorable, 
yet  the  people  were  there  in  troops,  and  the  preacher 
interested  all,  in  his  usual  happy  style,  until  many 
shouted  "  glory  to  God."  All  the  money  we  needed 
was  raised  in  the  morning,  and  besides,  twenty-five  per 
sons  gave  each  one  dollar  to  Bro.  M.  to  make  mfl^k  life 
director  of  the  Tract  Society,  which  he  represented. 

The  Trustees  then,  after  consultation,  insisted  on  a 
name  for  the  new  church.  They  communicated  their 
desire  to  Brother  Manship,  and  he  baptized  the  place  as 
GKEGG-  CHAPEL,  a  name  which  it  has  borne  ever  since. 
This  was  against  my  consent,  but  they  would  have  it  so, 
and  so  it  is. 

Griffith's  Church  now  remained  to  be  completed,  and 
this  was  soon  done,  at  an  outlay  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars.  The  ministers  engaged  to  officiate,  having 
failed  to  reach  the  church  on  account  of  inclement 
weather,  the  task  of  rededication  devolved  on  myself. 
The  money  was  all  collected  at  the  meeting  in  the  morn 
ing.  In  the  evening  I  preached  again  and  invited  souls 
to  Christ ;  and  there  were  over  thirty  persons  converted 
in  less  than  one  week.  This  occurred  during  the  busy 
season  of  wheat  harvest,  and  was  to  us  a  glorious  in 
gathering  of  souls ;  to  God  be  all  the  praise. 

Thus  by  the  Divine  blessing,  on  which  I  cast  my 
reliance  at  the  outset,  we  succeeded  in  having  three 
churches  rebuilt  at  an  outlay  of  over  twelve  hundred 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.,  43 


Revival.  Colored  people.  Camp  Meeting. 

dollars,  and  in  erecting  a  neat  new  church,  which  cost 
over  one  thousand  dollars;  all  the  work  was  accom 
plished,  the  funds  raised,  and  bills  paid,  in  less  than 
five  months  from  the  time  I  arrived  upon  the  circuit. 
The  result  gladdened  my  own,  and  the  hearts  of  the 
people,  and  we  never  lacked  for  good  congregations, 
good  collections,  and  happy  meetings,  while  I  remained 
among  them. 

In  this  connection  I  might  add,  that  I  assisted  the 
colored  people  to  the  extent  of  my  ability  in  building 
one  new  church,  and  rebuilding  another,  both  of  which 
I  had  the  pleasure  to  dedicate  for  them.  This,  of  course, 
offended  some  of  the  rabid  pro-slavery  party,  who  were 
extremely  sensitive  and  jealous,  about  extending  any 
notice,  help,  or  encouragement  to  these  poor  people. 
What  I  did,  thank  God,  I  was  not  afraid  or  ashamed  to 
do,  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  owns, 
among  this  class  of  persons,  many  jewels  of  Christian 
piety,  who,  when  their  proud  oppressors  shall  be  for 
gotten,  will  stand  before  the  throne,  clothed  in  white 
robes,  having  come  up  through  great  tribulation. 

We  held  a  Camp  Meeting  on  the  Circuit,  consisting 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  tents,  white  and  colored. 
The  following  preachers  rallied  round  me,  and  preached 
with  great  power  and  success :  Rev.  H.  Colclazer,  Pre 
siding  Elder,  Rev.  J.  Dickerson,  Rev.  H.  Sanderson, 
and  Rev.  J.  B.  Quigg,  of  my  own  Conference ;  Rev.  J. 
W.  Cullum,  Rev.  Mr.  Thrush,  and  Rev.  Prof.  Hank, 
of  the  Baltimore  Conference.  We  had  excellent  order. 


44  LJFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

A  year's  work.  Re-appointed. 

There  was  such  manifestations  of  the  presence  and  influ 
ence  of  the  Spirit,  that  promenading  was  abandoned, 
and  even  despisers  were  led  to  wonder  and  tremble  be 
fore  the  power  of  God.  A  great  many  found  peace  in 
believing,  and  the  tented  grove  was  to  us  all  a  place  of 
great  rejoicing. 

In  summing  up  the  results  of  that  year,  which  began 
so  gloomy,  I  find  that  the  people  raised  and  paid  about 
two  thousand,  five  hundred,  and  fifty-six  dollars,  for 
church  building,  missionary  and  tract  cause,  and  other 
demands  made  upon  them,  besides  several  hundred  dol 
lars,  collected  among  the  people  of  color,  to  pay  off  their 
church  liabilities. 

I  have  always  endeavored  to  extend  the  circulation  of 
our  religious  literature  wherever  I  have  been,  and  even 
on  this  comparatively  barren  field,  I  obtained  a  large 
number  of  subscribers  for  the  "Advocate."  Out  of  tke 
number  converted  to  God  this  year,  one  hundred  united 
with  us  in  church  fellowship,  and  the  year  closed  up  in 
great  peace  and,  as  the  reader  cannot  fail  to  perceive,  in 
unexpected  and  most  signal  prosperity.  Surely  "  God 
moves  in  a  mysterious  way,  His  wonders  to  perform." 

In  the  Spring  of  1858,  I  was  reappointed  to  Black- 
water  Circuit,  and  this  time  went  to  my  charge  with 
very  different  emotions  from  what  I  experienced  the 
preceding  year.  The  work  moved  on,  the  congregations 
were  large,  and  the  classes  were  well  attended. 

We  held  another  Camp  Meeting,  having  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  tents.  The  ministers  in  attendance  were 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  45 


Opposition.  A  good  report. 


Eev.  William  L.  Gray,  Rev.  H.  Colclazer,  Rev.  A. 
Manship  and  Rev.  T.  J.  Thompson,  all  of  whom  preached 
with  life  and  liberty,  and  success  crowned  their  efforts 
in  extending  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

During  my  two  years'  work  on  this  Circuit,  the  chief 
opposition  I  met  with  was  from  ministers  of  other  deno 
minations,  slave-holders,  and  the  Devil.  I  had  occasion 
ally  to  fall  back  on  the  inalienable  rights  of  man,  and 
defend  myself,  by  collaring  the  uncivilized,  and  shaking 
them  into  decent  behaviour — when  moral  suasion  failed 
of  effect. 

I  found  a  friend  and  valuable  helper  in  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Thompson,  of  Cambridge — father  of  Rev.  C.  I.  Thomp 
son  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  who  manifested  an 
abiding  .interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  people. 
And  they  with  myself  will  long  remember  him  for  his 
kindness  and  attention.  My  second  year  closed,  with 
what  was  regarded  as  "a  good  report." 


46  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 


Ordination.  Wiconisco. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ORDINATION. 

ANNUAL  CONFERENCE— ORDAINED  ELDER— WICONISCO— MOUNTAINS- 
CHURCH  DEBT  PAID— FESTIVAL— INGATHERING  TO  THE  CHURCH- 
WARM  FRIENDS— HUMMELSTOWN— CHURCH  REPAIRED— RE-OPENING 
—REV.  MESSRS.  BISHOP,  HEILNER,  AND  CARSON— MISSIONARY  COL 
LECTION—ASTOUNDING  STINGINESS— A  FREE  GOSPEL— REFLECTIONS 
—OPPOSITION  TO  REVIVALS— A  "PETER  CARTWRIGHT"  ARGUMENT- 
VICTORY  ON  THE  LORD'S  SIDE. 

THE  Annual  Conference  of  1859  convened  in  Phila 
delphia,  on  the  26th  day  of  March,  and  was  to  me  a 
very  pleasant  and  memorable  session.  The  "  course  of 
study"  prescribed  for  young  preachers,  and  the  annual 
examination  in  committee-room  was  now  completed. 
After  due  representation  in  my  case  I  was  elected  to 
Elders'  orders,  and  on  Sabbath,  the  29th  of  March,  1859, 
I  was  ordained  by  the  Rev.  Bishop  Scott,  in  company 
with  the  class  of  1855,  with  each  of  whom  I  was  happy 
to  be  associated,  and  will  always  rejoice  to  name  them 
among  my  special  friends. 

My  appointment  this  year  was  to  Wiconisco  among 
the  mountains  of  Dauphin  County,  Pa.,  where,  as  Rev. 
John  F.  Chaplain  informed  my  friends  in  Cambridge, 
Md.,  the  sun  does  not  rise  until  ten  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing  !  Indeed  a  greater  contrast  in  scenery  could  hardly 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  47 


Kind  people.  Itinerating. 


be  imagined  than  that  between  my  fields  of  labor  for 
the  past  few  years,  and  that  to  which  I  was  now  as 
signed.  Instead  of  low  lands,  level  marshes,  and  the 
ebb  and  flow  of  tides,  I  was  surrounded  with  lofty  hills, 
rapid  rivers,  delightful  and  healthy  atmosphere,  and 
stirring  enterprise. 

Our  church  at  this  place  being  in  debt  and  the  money 
to  pay  it  needed,  nly  first  duty  was  to  confer  with  the 
Trustees  in  regard  to  raising  the  necessary  funds.  We 
determined  to  make  an  effort,  and  accordingly,  after  my 
first  sermon,  the  congregation  were  asked  to  contribute 
one  hundred  dollars.  This  amount  was  given  in  a  few 
minutes,  and  we  were  much  encouraged  to  go  forward. 

On  the  Fourth  of  July  we  had  a  public  celebration. 
The  ladies  were  exceedingly  active  in  preparations  for  a 
good  time,  and  with  the  most  commendable  zeal,  they 
provided  a  sumptuous  dinner,  from  the  proceeds  of 
which  enough  money  was  obtained  to  pay  off  the  entire 
debt  remaining  on  the  church. 

The  year  passed  away  pleasantly.  The  people  were 
extremely  kind  to  me,  and  their  names  are  still  cherished 
in  memory  among  my  best  Christian  friends.  We  did 
not  forget  the  interests  of  our  church  periodicals,  raised  a 
large  missionary  collection,  and  received  into  the  church 
sixty-nine  probationers  as  the  result  of  a  gracious 
revival. 

In  the  spring  of  1860,  I  was  appointed  to  Hummels- 
town  Circuit,  and  found  the  work  to  be  very  laborious. 
The  appointments  were  several  miles  apart,  and  I  had 


48  ;vU  LIFE  IN  THE  AHMY. 

Stinginess.  My  friend  the  Dutchman. 

often  to  ride  twenty-five  miles  and  preach  three  times 
the  same  day. 

We  repaired  the  Hummelstown  church  and  had  a 
good  bell  placed  upon  it,  then  arranged  for  special  ser 
vice  at  the  re-opening.  It  was  an  occasion  of  great 
interest.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Bishop,  of  Harrisburg,  Kev. 
S.  A.  Heilner,  of  Lykens,  Pa.,  and  Rev.  Robert  J.  Car 
son,  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  officiated  with 
acceptability  and  profit.  All  the  money  asked  for  was 
cheerfully  contributed,  and  this  enterprise  throughout 
was  a  success. 

At  one  of  my  appointments  on  the  circuit  I  made 
special  arrangements  for  a  grand  missionary  collection, 
and  secured  the  services  of  a  certain  Rev.  M.  D.,  to 
preach  the  sermon.  He  performed  his  part  with  ability, 
and  to  his  astonishment,  when  the  offerings  of  the  people 
were  received,  and  all  the  funds  carefully  counted,  the 
result  of  the  appeal  and  all  our  previous  plans,  was,  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  cents,  to  send  the  word 
of  life  to  the  perishing  heathen ! ! 

There  was  in  a  certain  locality  a  wealthy  gentleman 
of  Dutch  descent,  who  professed  to  be  a  great  friend  and 
admirer  of  the  preacher.  He  regularly  attended  my 
ministry  with  his  family,  and  I  was  regarded  as  quite  a 
favorite.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  my  good  friend  was 
solicited  by  one  of  the  stewards  for  a  liberal  contribution 
towards  the  support  of  the  gospel.  I  suppose  he  made 
it  a  subject  of  careful  thought,  if  not  of  prayer,  before  he 
came  forward  with  his  amount:  but  when  it  did  appear, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  49 


Love  of  money.  Stealing  gospel. 


it  consisted  of  the  handsome  (?)  sum  of  twenty-five  cents, 
for  one  year's  preaching  to  him  and  his  house  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ! 

He  is  one  of  the  many — I  am  glad  to  think  the  num 
ber  is  growing  less  every  year,  who  believe  in  a  free 
gospel,  and  are  afraid  to  connect  themselves  with  any 
denomination  of  Christians,  from  the  dread  of  current 
expenses,  and  their  innate  stinginess  of  soul,  regarding 
every  call  and  claim  of  benevolence  in  the  light  of  a 
nuisance,  and  living,  laboring,  and  saving  only' for  self. 
With  such,  the  love  of  money  becomes  an  absorbing 
mania;  and  a  man  of  this  stripe  will  even  deny  himself 
and  his  family  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  through 
this  vice  of  avarice,  and  a  growing  fear  of  coming  want. 
They  do  not  reflect  on  the  meanness  involved  in  stealing 
their  preaching,  by  dodging  around,  without  a  regular 
Church  home,  and  in  evading  the  Scriptural  obligation 
to  support  the  ministers  of  God. 

Another  class  of  people,  however,  go  even  beyond 
this.  They  oppose,  by  every  means,  the  progress  of  a 
living,  real  Christianity;  and  such  a  thing  as  revival 
operations,  is  to  them  a  source  of  torment.  They  are 
the  fitting,  and  willing  tools  of  the  Devil,  who  employs 
and  assists  them.  I  had  several  encounters  with  both 
ministers  and  members  of  other  denominations  this  year, 
and  by  God's  help,  we  not  only  withstood  their  rage, 
but  pushed  the  conquest  of  the  cross  into  their  own  lines, 
and  had  a  number  of  our  enemies  converted  in  our 
revival  meetings,  who  united  with  us,  and  learned  to 


50  LIFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

A  "  Cartwright"  argument.  Success  of  Methodism. 

shout  the  praise  of  that  God,  who  had  opened  their 
blinded  eyes,  and  brought  them,  by  his  Spirit,  into  a 
blessed  and  happy  experience. 

During  the  progress  of  our  meeting  at  Manada  Fur 
nace,  some  of  the  blue — or  rather  green — mountain  boys 
were  influenced,  as  I  was  led  to  believe,  by  members 
of  other  churches,  to  attend  our  services,  with  the  design 
of  interrupting  the  meeting.  I  had  read  some  sketches 
of  the  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright,  D.  D.,  and  at  once  con 
cluded  to  adopt  his  tactics  in  the  premises. 

A  strong  guard  was  stationed  in  and  around  the  church. 
The  preacher  had  to  seize  hold  of  an  unruly  fellow  oc 
casionally;  and  thus  by  placing  ourselves  on  the  defen 
sive,  and  prosecuting  some  of  the  ringleaders,  their  old- 
fogy  abettors,  and  bigoted  parents,  who  belong  to  a  cer 
tain  church,  but  are  totally  ignorant  of  true  religion,  were 
foiled  and  disappointed. 

The  work  of  God  moved  on,  and  both  here  and  at 
Hummelstown,  we  had  a  glorious  meeting,  and  gathered 
quite  a  large  number  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Meth 
odist  faith,  whom,  may  the  God  of  our  Fathers  bless, 
and  establish,  until,  after  a  life  of  zeal  for  his  cause  on 
earth,  they  gain 

— "  The  blest  fields,  on  the  banks  of  the  river, 
And  shout  hallelujah,  for  ever,  and  ever." 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  51 


Opposition  to  revivals.  Bainbridge. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

ZOX4Z2T. 

APPOINTED    TO    BAINBRIDGE— REVIVAL-REAPPOINTED-COMMISSIONED 

CHAPLAIN— PRESENTED  WITH  A  BEAUTIFUL  SWORD— OFF  TO  THE  FIELD 
-RETURN-APPOINTED  TO  MONTGOMERY  SQUARE-OPPOSITIQN-AN  OLD 
DISLOYAL  FARMER— BISHOP  HOPKINS  ON  SLAVERY— REVIVAL— AN  IN 
CIDENT—VISIT  TO  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN— INTERVIEW  WITH  SECESSION. 
ISTS— A  JEW  NONPLUSSED— RUNNING  THE  CHURCHES— ESTIMATE  OF 
MR.  LINCOLN— NOMINATED  FOR  HOSPITAL  CHAPLAIN— CONFIRMED- 
ORDERED  TO  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF— A  WORD  TO  "  ALL  WHOM  IT 
MAY  CONCERN." 

AT  the  Conference  held  March  20th,  1861,  I  received 
my  appointment  to  Bainbridge,  Pa.  This  is  a  pleasant 
village  located  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Susquehanna 
river.  As  usual  in  all  our  smaller  towns  in  this  region, 
denominational  lines  were  strictly  drawn  here.  My  first 
and  constant  desire  in  all  my  appointments,  was  to  labor 
in  harmony  with  my  fellow-Christians,  and  live  on  terms 
of  peace  with  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  to 
press  forward  in  the  work  of  getting  sinners  converted. 
Where  offense  has  been  taken  at  the  mode  I  employ,  and 
professed  ministers  of  the  gospel,  arise  to  oppose  the 
work  through  prejudice,  or  a  fear  that  their  own  fabric 
may  be  invaded,  and  fall  down  before  the  onset  of  Holy 
Ghost  religion,  I  simply  move  on,  in  the  course  I  deem 


52  LIFE   IN  THE  AKMY. 

Loyalty.  Appointed  Chaplain. 

: * 

best,  and  think  it  useless  to  open  controversies,  or  engage 
in  arguments,  while  souls  are  perishing.  Through  much 
opposition,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing' a  good  work  at 
Bainbridge,  and  many  souls  were  added  to  the  Lord. 

I  was  returned  to  the  same  charge  in  1862.  At  this 
period  the  Nation  had  become  aroused  to  the  magnitude 
of  the  rebellion,  and  all  the  true  friends  of  Liberty  and 
Union  had  to  speak  out,  and  act  out  their  convictions. 

Of  my  own  record,  since  the  firing  of  the  first  gun 
that  inaugurated  the  slave-holders'  rebellion,  I  have  no 
reason  to  be  ashamed.  On  the  16th  of  August,  in  this 
year,  I  was  appointed  and  commissioned  Chaplain  of  the 
one  hundred  and  twenty-seventh  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  by  his  excellency,  Governor  Andrew  Gregg 
Curtin. 

My  regiment  was  under  marching  orders,  and  I  had 
to  bid  my  congregation  farewell.  After  preaching  to 
them  on  the  Sunday  evening  before  my  departure,  I  was 
presented  with  a  magnificent  sword,  by*  the  following, 
worthy  and  patriotic  gentlemen,  as  a  token  of  their 
esteem :  Dr.  R.  H.  Jones  of  Bainbridge,  Prof.  Samuel 
Eby  of  Elizabethtown,  Pa.,  and  Abraham  Collins,  Esq., 
merchant  of  Falmouth.  This  offended  some  of  the 
friends  of  Jeff.  Davis,  in  that  community,  but  their 
wrath  was  of  no  account,  in  view  of  the  overwhelming 
tide  of  loyal  sentiment  in  good  old  Lancaster  County. 
May  God  bless  all  her  patriotic  sons  and  daughters. 

Of  my  adventures  and  experiences  in  the  army,  the 
reader  of  these  pages  will  find  a  full  account  in  the  pro- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  53 


A  pro-slavery  man.  Hopkins'  book. 


per  place.  My  term  of  service  expired  in  the  spring  of 
1863,  when,  returning  to  my  Conference  and  regular 
work,  I  was  sent  to  Montgomery  Square,  a  pleasant  sta 
tion,  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia.  I  found  here 
some  of  the  kindest  Christian  people  I  have  kn6wn,  and 
spent  a  very  happy  term  among  them. 

As  I  had  been  in  the  army,  of  course  I  was  a  mark 
for  the  hatred  of  rebel  sympathizers.  One  man,  lately 
from  the  city,  where  he  had  experienced  some  rough 
usage  on  account  of  his  Southern  proclivities,  tried  to 
strengthen  his  cause  by  misrepresentation  and  slander  of 
me ;  but  my  people  were  not  disposed  to  ignore  a  true 
Union  man,  or  be  influenced  against  one  who  had  served 
his  country  in  the  field,  by  a  weak,  although  wealthy 
advocate  for  the  "  institution  "  of  slavery. 

This  person  had  the  assurance  to  distribute  copies  of 
Bishop  Hopkins'  book,  wherever  he  could  find  a  reader, 
and  went  so  far  as  to  deposit  them  in  the  front  yards  of 
some  of  my  members.  He  and  all  the  hissing  tribe  who 
followed  his  counsel,  failed  to  do  me  the  slightest  injury. 
I  was  enabled  to  move  forward  with  steady  steps,  and 
God  blessed  us  in  the  work  of  revival.  We  had  a  meet 
ing  of  extraordinary  power.  The  word  of  the  Lord 
spread  like  fire  in  dry  stubble.  Over  fifty  souls  were 
converted,  and  what  is  remarkable,  there  were  several 
among  the  number  who  were  over  sixty  years  of  age. 

After  preaching  on  the  morning  of  Christmas  day,  I 
was  about  to  dismiss  the  congregation,  when,  to  my  sur 
prise,  one  of  the  stewards  rose  and  requested  the  people 

5  * 


54  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Donation.  The  President.  A  secesh  Lady. 

to  be  seated,  as  he  wished  their  attention  for  a  few  mo 
ments.  He  then  addressed  himself  to  me,  in  a  neat 
speech,  and  in  the  name  of  those  who  were  attendants 
on  my  ministry,  presented  me  with  a  pocket  book  con 
taining  fifty  dollars  in  greenbacks ;  and  in  the  name  of 
the  young  ladies  of  the  congregation,  a  beautiful  pair  of 
gloves.  I  tried  to  return  my  thanks  for  such  substantial 
tokens  of  sympathy  and  confidence,  and  remarked  that 
the  feelings  which  prompted  such  generosity  were  of 
more  real  value  than  anything  else.  I  was  happy  to 
know  that  I  was  surrounded  by  such  kind  people. 

On  the  18th  day  of  February,  1864,  I  visited  Wash 
ington,  and  was  permitted  to  have  an  interview  with 
President  Lincoln.  I  shall  never  forget  a  scene  I  wit 
nessed  on  that  occasion.  It  endeared  that  honored  man 
to  my  heart,  and  gave  me  a  strong  impression  of  his  wis 
dom  and  firmness  in  dealing  with  the  enemies  of  the 
Government. 

While  I  was  seated  in  his  office,  a  lady  who  was  a 
secessionist,  and  a  resident  of  Washington  City,  forced 
herself  into  his  presence,  and  approaching  him  said: 

"  Mr.  President,  my  son  is  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  he 
now  desires  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance." 

"  Under  what  circumstances  was  your  son  captured?" 
inquired  Mr.  Lincoln. 

"While  on  his  way  to  the  rebel  army,  sir,"  the  lady 
replied. 

"  Pray,  where  had  he  been  ?" 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  55 


A  Rebel  captain.  A  Jew  cornered. 


"  In  Washington,  sir,"  she  answered,  "  he  having  re 
turned  home  sick." 

Mr.  Lincoln  then  said,  "  You  kept  him  concealed  in 
your  house — fattened  him  up — and  then  sent  him  back 
to  the  rebel  army  to  assist  in  destroying  this  government; 
and  further,  madam,  I  have  no  confidence  in  you,  or 
your  son." 

"  But,  sir,"  said  she,  "  my  son  is  a  reliable  man." 

"  No  doubt  he  was,"  Mr.  Lincoln  replied,  "  when  he 
had  a  rebel  musket  on  his  shoulder." 

This  ended  the  dialogue,  and  the  lady  retired. 

Soon  another  party  entered  the  apartment — a  Jew,  ac 
companied  by  a  lady  and  gentleman.  The  Jew  approached 
the  president  and  said : 

"  Mr.  Lincoln,  this  lady  is  the  wife  of  a  rebel  Captain 
who  is  now  a  prisoner,  and  he  desires  to  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance." 

The  President  looked  the  Jew  in  the  face,  saying : 

"  The  Captain  has  become  quite  penitent,  I  suppose, 
since  he  has  been  captured  by  our  forces,"  and  added : 
"  he  is  too  big  a  fish  for  me  to  allow  to  take  the  oath, 
and  thereby  extend  to  him  a  chance  to  return  to  the 
rebel  army  the  first  opportunity  regardless  of  his  oath, 
as  many  of  them  have  done  already." 

The  Jew  said;  "Mr.  President,  he  is  perfectly  re 
liable." 

"  I  believe  that,"  responded  Mr.  Lincoln,  "  when  in 
command  of  a  company  of  rebel  soldiers." 

"  But,  sir,  I  will  vouch  for  him,"  said  the  Jew. 


56  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 

Running  the  churches.  Sagacity  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 

"  And  pray,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  "  who  are  you  ?" 

The  man  answered  that  he  kept  a  store  in  Washington, 
and  that  he  was  acquainted  with  Mrs.  Lincoln.  The 
President  inquired  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
Mrs.  Lincoln. 

"At  my  place  of  business,  sir,"  said  he. 

Mr.  Lincoln  remarked  that  he  did  not  believe  that  he 
knew  Mrs.  L.  At  the  same  moment  he  rang  the  bell, 
and  a  messenger  appeared,  whom  he  directed  to  go  and 

ask  Mrs.  Lincoln  if  she  was  acquainted  with  Mr. 

The  messenger  soon  returned,  and  informed  him  that  she 
said  she  did  not  know  such  a  man. 

The  President  looked  the  embarrassed  Jew  in  the  eye, 

and  said,  "  Do  you  hear  that  Mr. ?  Now,  sir,  you 

can  leave." 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1864,  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  a  con 
versation  between  himself,  Mr.  Stanton  and  a  certain 
Bishop,  informed  them  that  he  had  not  engaged  to  "run 
the  churches." 

I  recall  these  incidents,  to  show  the  impartiality  and 
sagacity  he  displayed  in  his  administration  during  the 
deepest  trials  of  the  country.  My  opinion  is  that  there 
was  not  a  man  in  the  civilized  world  who  was  as  true  a 
representative  of  republicanism  as  the  Honorable  and  now 
revered  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Honest  as  a  politician,  pure  as  a  patriot,  devout  and 
humble  in  the  sense  of  his  dependence  on,  and  accounta 
bility  to  the  great  God,  he  has  well  deserved  the  title  so 
generally  accorded  to  him,  as  M  the  second  Washington." 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 


57 


Hospital  Chaplain.  Guthrieville. 


On  the  18th  of  February,  1864,  I  was  nominated  by 
this  great  and  good  President  for  the  position  of  Hospital 
Chaplain,  and  my  appointment  was  sent  to  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States  for  confirmation. 

Pending  action  in  my  case,  I  attended  the  session  of 
Conference  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  was  by  Bishop 
Ames  appointed  to  Guthrieville  Circuit.  In  two  days 
after  this  was  announced,  my  appointment  as  a  Chaplain 
was  confirmed  by  the  Senate.  On  the  18th  of  March,  I 
received  my  commission  from  the  President,  and  was 
ordered  by  the  Surgeon-General  to  report  for  duty  to  the 
Medical  Director  of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  for 
assignment  to  one  of  the  General  Hospitals  in  New 
Orleans,  La.  This  change  of  programme  I  believed  to 
be  in  accordance  with  the  will  and  direction  of  Provi 
dence,  and  immediately  turned  my  attention  to  the  new 
sphere  of  duty  which  had  opened  before  me.  Bishop 
Ames  kindly  transferred  me  from  the  charge  to 
which  I  had  been  assigned,  and  gave  his  concurrence 
to  my  appointment  as  Chaplain  in  the  United  States 
Army. 

The  above  will  explain  why  I  did  not  go  to  my  field 
of  labor ;  for  I  wish  it  distinctly  understood  that  I  have 
never  refused  to  do  the  work,  or  go  to  the  post  of  duty 
assigned  me  by  the  Bishop  and  his  council.  The  sup 
position  by  some  that  I  did  not  go  to  the  Guthrieville 
Circuit  because  it  was  regarded  as  a  poor  and  unpromis 
ing  field  of  labor,  is  far  from  being  correct.  All  my 
appointments  in  the  past  were  understood  to  be  among 


58  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  son  in  the  gospel.  To  whom  it  may  concern. 

the  hardest  portions  of  our  work,  but  I  have  labored 
cheerfully,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God,  have  tried  to 
bring  up,  and  improve  every  place  I  have  occupied.  I 
may  also  say,  for  the  information  of  all  whom  it  may 
concern,  that  I  never  received  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  besides  my  board  and  traveling  ex 
penses,  on  any  charge,  and  very  frequently  less  than  that. 
It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  I  have  had  no  very 
special  favors  from  the  appointing  power,  but  I  have 
acted  as  an  obedient  son  in  the  gospel,  and  do  not  regret 
that  I  have  labored,  suffered,  and  borne  reproach  for  the 
sake  of  our  common  Master  and  his  blessed  cause. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  59 


An  efficient  ministry.  Education. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

PERSONAL. 

VIEWS  ON  THE  EFFICIENCY  OF  THE  MINISTRY— COMMON  SENSE  AND 
LIVING  FAITH  BETTER  THAN  DEAD  LANGUAGES— REVIVALS  OF  RE 
LIGION  SANCTIONED  BY  SCRIPTURE— MISSION  OF  METHODISM— PER 
SONAL-KINDNESS  OF  FfRLENDS— REV.  JAMES  RIDDLE-REMARKABLE 
PROVIDENCES— RESCUE  FROM  DROWNING— FALL  FROM  A  HORSE- 
ESCAPE  FROM  ROBBERS— THE  GLORY  GIVEN  TO  GOD. 

BEFORE  concluding  this  department  of  my  book,  I 
have  thought  it  would  not  be  out  of  place  for  me  to 
write  down  some  reflections,  which  have  long  occupied 
my  mind,  respecting  an  efficient  ministry. 

Is  it  absolutely  necessary  that  a  man  converted  and 
called  of  God  to  preach  repentance  and  the  remission 
of  sins  to  his  dying  fellow-men,  must  turn  aside  from 
the  work  to  which  the  Holy  Spirit  and  his  ardent  nature 
prompts  him,  and  settle  down  to  the  study  of  Greek, 
Latin,  or  Hebrew?  Must  he  spend  a  few  valuable  years 
of  his  fresh  and  vigorous  youth  in  learning  philosophy, 
figuring  abstract  problems,  or  plodding  wearily  over  the 
pages  of  old  Pagan  poets?  "Gaining  knowledge,"  said 
the  wise  and  practical  Wesley,  "is  a  good  thing,  but 
saving  souls  is  better."  I  do  not  undervalue  learning, 
but  simply  inquire  whether  that  species  called  the  classics 
is  essential  to  success  in  the  Methodist  itinerancy? 


60  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Is  a  college  diploma  necessary  to  success  ?  The  fathers. 

The  controversy  on  this  subject  is  waxing  warmer 
every  year,  and  some  probabilities  seem  to  point  in  the 
direction  of  a  collegiate  course,  as  a  prerequisite  for 
admission  into  an  annual  conference,  and  the  regular 
work  of  the  Methodist  pastorate.  Some  of  the  bishops, 
it  is  said,  favor  this  arrangement,  and  editors,  presidents, 
and  the  whole  corps  of  college  professors  clap  their  hands 
in  glee,  and  say  "amen"  to  it. 

There  is,  moreover,  a  kind  of  distinction  springing  up 
between  brethren,  which,  if  allowed  to  obtain,  will  prove 
very  unbecoming,  and  will  serve  to  bring  us  into  con 
tempt  before  the  world,  as  a  house  divided  against  itself. 
The  new-fledged  graduate,  no  matter  what  amount  of 
brains  he  may  possess,  is  often  seen  stepping  around  on 
the  stilts  of  his  supposed  superiority,  and  putting  on  airs 
in  the  presence  of  his  fellow-laborers,  who  have  no 
"A.  M."  or  "B.  A."  tagged  on  to  their  names,  which  is 
calculated  to  bring  them  into  discredit. 

My  candid  opinion  is,  that  we  have  as  good  men,  and 
as  great  men,  in  every  respect,  who  never  studied  the 
dead  languages,  as  any  who  boast  of  proficiency  in  that 
direction.  Colleges  never  did,  and  never  will,  give  a 
man  brains;  nor  can  they  impart  a  deeper  endowment 
of  holy  earnestness,  or  the  unction  of  the  Spirit,  which 
qualifies  for  most  eminent  success.  The  larger  portion 
of  our  clergy,  still,  are  of  that  class  whom  I  denominate 
self-educated  men. 

The  generations  of  our  predecessors, — men  who  shook 
this  continent  by  their  power,  came  forth,  not  from 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  61 


Source  of  true  power.  Ministers  must  be  self-sacrificing. 

seminaries,  but  from  shoe-benches,  and  the  plough ;  from 
humble  and  ordinary  occupations,  hardy  through  toil, 
happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  and,  above  all, 
men  of  one  work,  for  which  God  called  them,  and  to 
which  they  were  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  fire 
sent  down  from  heaven. 

When  the  day  comes,  if  it  ever  does  arrive  in  the  his 
tory  of  American  Methodism,  that  shall  witness  a  rule 
requiring  every  young  man  who  feels  moved  to  take 
upon  himself  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel,  to  turn 
his  attention  first  to  the  study  of  Greek  and  Hebrew, 
the  cause  of  Christ  and  perishing  souls  will  suffer,  and 
the  ardor,  freshness,  and  power  of  such  young  men  will, 
by  entering  a  college  as  students,  wane  and  languish, 
and  some  of  them  will  either  backslide,  or  become  a  dry 
literary  incumbrance  on  the  church. 

What  I  mean,  is,  so  far  as  my  observation  has  ex?- 
tended,  self-educated  men  are  fully  up  to  the  standard 
by  which  we  should  test  ministerial  character,  and  are 
often  successful  and  generally  useful  among  the  masses, 
and  are  found  to  be  available  for  the  conversion  of  this 
world  of  sinners  to  God.  They  should  not  be  discarded; 
nor  should  unkind  reflections  be  cast  upon  them,  and  on 
the  Fathers  of  Methodised,  by  this  modern  hue  and  cry 
about  the  need  of  Colleges,  Universities,  and  Biblical 
Institutes.  If  the  common  sense  that  characterized  the 
brave  old  legions  of  a  past  generation  shall  descend  on 
their  sons  and  successors,  and  like  them,  we  be  men  of 
simplicity  in  manner,  energy  of  action,  and  self-sacrifice 

6 


62  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Revivals  Scriptural.  Who  oppose  them. 

for  the  promotion  of  holiness  through  all  the  land,  we 
can  take  the  world  for  Christ.  I  do  not  argue  against 
classical  education,  or  despise  the  gaining  of  knowledge, 
but,  while  I  admire,  and  wish  great  good  to  the  "  D. 
D's.,"  and  bid  the  educators  God  spee^d,  I  think  the 
hardest  and  largest  part  of  our  work  must  be  done  by 
men  who,  instead  of  "recitations/7  and  speculations,  and 
parchment  credentials,  shall  live  and  labor  for  eternity, 
and  spend  their  short  life  in  the  most  practical  manner 
of  glorifying  God,  and  whose  highest  ambition  is  to  hear 
at  last  the  Master  say,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant." 

On  the  subject  of  revivals  of  religion,  I  desire  to  pre 
sent  a  few  words.  I  am  a  firm  advocate  of  these  "times 
of  refreshing,"  and  believe  in  the  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  on  set  and  special  occasions,  in  answer  to  prayer, 
and  the  use  of  the  means  appointed  and  improved,  for 
bringing  awakened  souls  to  the  cross,  and  uniting  God's 
people  in  faith,  love,  and  zeal. 

The  ministry  of  the  Apostles  was  honored  with  fre 
quent  baptisms  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  we  learn  'that 
under  revival  efforts  and  influences,  much  people  were 
added  to  the  Lord.  Through  all  the  history  and  pro 
gress  of  the  true  church  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  have  illus 
trations  of  the  value,  and  indeed  the  absolute  necessity 
of  awakening  and  saving  grace. 

How  then  can  any  lover  of  Christ  oppose  a  work  of 
this  kind  ?  We  ought  to  rejoice  and  be  exceeding  glad, 
instead  of  grumbling  and  fault  finding,  when  we  see  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  63 


Special  effort  necessary.  Idle  ministers. 

tide  of  salvation  rising,  and  rolling  on  in  majestic  power, 
sometimes  including  whole  neighborhoods,  and  falling 
on  both  the  aged  and  the  young  in  its  soul-saving  in 
fluence. 

My  own  soul  was  converted  to  God  at  a  revival  of 
religion,  and  I  have  witnessed  the  conversion  of  large 
numbers  of  others  during  my  ministry,  when  the  power 
of  the  gospel  was  manifested  to  save. 

As  a  church,  we  should  never  ignore  them.  Our 
growth  in  numbers,  and  success  in  every  department, 
has  been  through  the  instrumentality  of  revivals.  Mil 
lions  on  earth  and  in  heaven  to-day,  were  awakened, 
converted,  and  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ  on  these 
occasions,  and,  if  summoned  to  give  their  testimony, 
would  tell  of  many  a  camp  meeting,  or  protracted  effort, 
where  they  were  saved,  and  without  which,  in  all  proba 
bility,  they  would  never  have  been  aroused  to  the  need  of 
regeneration  by  the  Spirit.  I  have  in  these  pages  fre 
quently  observed,  that  ministers  and  members  of  certain 
denominations  where  I  have  labored,  did  all  they  could, 
to  discredit  the  work,  and  oppose  all  who  were  in  favor 
of  spiritual  Christianity.  What  manner  of  men  are  they, 
who  stand  all  the  day  idle,  themselves,  half  asleep,  or 
wholly  indifferent  to  the  salvation  of  the  people,  and  when 
they  are  waked  up,  by  the  noise  of  sinners  crying  for 
mercy,  or  saints  of  God  shouting  on  the  battles  of  Im- 
manuel,  get  angry,  and  growl  over  it,  calling  it  wild-fire, 
enthusiasm,  and  fanatical  folly,  and  warning  their  own 
poor  bigoted,  sober-sided,  and  deluded  followers,  to  have 


64  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Truth  will  triumph.  Methodism  a  light  to  all. 

nothing  to  do  with  these  Methodists  ?  That  we  are  and 
ought  to  be  enthusiasts  I  admit,  but  that  there  is  either 
fanaticism  or  folly  in  our  modes  of  operation  I  take  the 
liberty  to  deny.  We  are  a  missionary  church,  and  intend, 
in  obedience  to  the  command  of  the  Captain  of  our  sal 
vation,  to  battle  on  against  every  opposition  that  may  be 
employed  by  earth  or  hell ;  and  as  sure  as  truth  is  on  our 
side,  error  shall  fade  and  fall  before  us  ;  spirituality  shall 
increase,  and  warm  into  life,  the  cold,  dead  formality  by 
which  many  churches  and  some  parts  of  our  own  is  par 
alyzed.  We  cannot,  we  dare  not,  allow  souls  for  whom 
Christ  has  died  to  go  down  to  the  pit,  without  advancing 
our  skirmish  lines  and  trying,  by  a  double-quick  move 
ment,  to  snatch  them  as  brands  from  the  fire. 

Oh  that  we  may  be,  more  than  ever  in  the  past,  a  re 
vival  church  ;  a  light  to  all  around  us,  as  the  city  that 
is  set  on  a  hill,  which  cannot  be  hid.  Where  other 
churches  fail  we  must  succeed.  What  they  are  unable  to 
do,  we  must  by  God's  grace  accomplish.  For  this  we 
were  raised  up :  for  this  we  have  been  preserved  and 
made  strong,  and  in  this  work  we  must  go  forth  crying, 

"Lord  revive  us  !     Lord  revive  us  ! 
All  our  help  must  come  from  thee." 

In  all  the  allusions  I  have  made  to  the  work  of  the 
Lord  under  my  own  feeble  labors,  I  hope  none  will  at 
tribute  to  me  a  spirit  of  vain-glory — such  allusions  had 
to  come  in  naturally,  in  the  narrative  of  my  life,  and  will 
be  to  many,  as  well  as  to  myself,  in  reading  them,  like 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  65 


Explanation.  A  tribute  to  friendship. 


green  spots  in  the  desert,  and  wells  of  water  in  a  thirsty 
land. 

I  cannot  close  this  account  of  my  experience  in  the 
ministry  without  some  personal  remarks,  which  those  to 
whom  I  may  refer  will  please  pardon  me  for  making.  I 
was,  as  the  kind  reader  will  recollect,  early  compelled  to 
commence  the  struggle  with  this  rough  and  rugged  world, 
and  literally  to  pioneer  my  own  pathway  up  to  man 
hood. 

The  truest  friends  I  ever  found,  have  been  those  in 
the  traveling  and  local  Ministry  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Philadelphia  Conference.  I  could  easily  record  a 
long  list  of  names  on  this  page,  that  are  cherished  in  my 
heart,  and  to  whom  for  special  attentions  I  am  indebted, 
more  deeply  than  I  can  express,  or  ever  hope  to  repay. 

The  Rev.  James  Riddle,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware, 
who  has  always  shown  himself  a  true  and  timely  friend 
of  young  men,  entering,  and  in  the'  ministry,  has  from 
the  hour  I  was  converted  until  this  day,  never  ceased  to 
evince  for  me  the  generous  and  noble  kindness  of  his 
warm  Irish  heart.  The  only  way  T  can  imagine,  in 
which  to  reciprocate  such  disinterested  friendship,  is,  to 
call  upon  him,  whenever  I  have  a  favor  to  ask,  and  never 
fear  to  tax  his  kindness  too  far. 

In  regard  to  my  present  prospects :  I  feel  that  God  is 
good  to  me,  and  his  presence  is  with  me  in  the  way  to 
heaven.  My  sincere  desire  is,  to  serve  God  and  the 
Church  of  my  choice  more  faithfully  in  the  future.  I 
ask  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  the  Christian  reader — 

6* 


66  LIFE    IN    THE    ARMY. 

God's  providence.  Savod  from  drowning. 

that  I  may  be  kept  "  steadfast,  unmoveable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  that  my  labor 
may  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.'7 

When  I  sometimes  retrospect  my  past  life  and  mark 
the  particular  providences  of  God  in  my  behalf,  I  am 
led  to  adopt  the  language  of  the  beautiful  hymn,  and 
ask : 

"  When  all  thy  mercies,  0  my  God, 

My  rising  soul  surveys ; 
Transported  with  the  view,  I'm  lost, 
In  wonder,  love  and  praise." 

Truly  he  has  led  me  in  a  way  I  have  not  known ; — 
in  perils,  privations,  and  danger;  and  has  been  ever 
ready  to  shield  me  from  sudden  and  violent  death. 

I  remember,  when  quite  a  small  boy,  once  bathing  in 
a  certain  river.  The  current  was  strong,  and  carried  me 
out  in  deep  water.  As  I  could  not  swim,  I  was  sinking 
to  a  watery  grave,  when  a  gentleman  rescued  me.  This 
made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind  at  the  time,  and 
so  vivid  is  my  realization  of  the  interposition  of  Provi 
dence — that  the  event  seems  but  as  yesterday. 

Once,  while  skating,  on  the  same  river,  all  alone,  I 
was  warned  to  get  off,  as. the  ice  was  moving  rapidly  be 
neath  my  feet  towards  the  falls  some  distance  below. 
When  I  looked  at  the  situation,  it  was  appalling.  The 
ice  had  become  detached  from  the  shore,  and  was  career 
ing  down  with  the  force  of  the  flood.  I  have  heard  it 

O 

said  that  there  were  times  when  a  person's  hair  has  been 
known  to  stand  up  straight  on  their  head  through 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  67 


Escape.  Remarkable  deliverance. 


fright.  Well,  if  ever  my  hair  stood  up  straight  upon 
my  head,  that  was  the  time.  I  was  compelled  to  spring 
into  the  deep  and  rapid  current,  and  struggle  for  my  life, 
among  the  broken  fragments  of  ice,  several  pieces  of 
which  passed  over  me  as  I  tried  to  reach  the  shore, 
which  I  did  at  length,  through  a  merciful  and  kind  Pro 
vidence. 

I  also  remember  being  thrown  twice  from  a  horse, 
each  time  the  horse  falling  on  me.  An  Indian  pony 
once  kicked  me  in  the  face,  and  I  have  known  persons 
to  be  maimed,  or  even  lose  their  life  from  a  less  cause. 

While  crossing  the  Alleghany  Mountains  when  a 
boy,  I  put  up  at  a  hotel,  and  about  midnight  a  robber 
and  murderer  entered  my  room.  I  was  again  the  child 
of  Providence,  and  to  God  I  give  the  praise  for  my  de 
liverance  on  that  occasion.  On  another  occasion  in 
1855,  danger  and  death  appeared  imminent.  I  was 
attacked  by  three  robbers  a  few  miles  east  of  Bedford, 
Pa.,  while  traveling  on  horseback.  During  my  itine 
rancy,  I  have  often  experienced  the  watch-care  of  one 
who  is  nigh  at  hand  to  help  and  save.  When  thrown 
from  my  carriage  twice  with  great  violence,  I  was  gra 
ciously  preserved  without  harm. 

And,  that  the  bullet  has  sped  by  me,  or  the  shell  and 
shot  has  not  been  allowed  to  molest  or  make  me  afraid; 
that  I  live  to-day,  rejoicing  in  my  beloved  country's 
triumph,  and  with  a  heart  to  thank  God  for  all  his  good 
ness  to  me,  is  all  through  his  unmerited  grace. 

Whatever  may  be  my  future  course,  I  can  say  in  the 


68  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Praise  to  and  trust  in  God. 

words  of  the  Psalmist :  "  My  heart  is  fixed,  O  God,  my 
heart  is  fixed ;  I  will  sing  and  give  praise." 

"  This,  this  is  the  God  I  adore, 

My  faithful  unchangeable  friend, 
Whose  love  is  as  great  as  his  power, 

And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end. 
'Tis  Jesus  the  first  and  the  last, 

Whose  Spirit  shall  guide  me  safe  home. 
I'll  praise  Him  for  all  that  is  past, 

And  trust  Him  for  all  that's  to  come." 


ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 


CHAPTER    IX. 

MUSTERING. 

THE  0 HEAT  UPRISING  OF  THE  NORTH— A  PATRIOT'S  BUT?— ORGANI 
ZATION  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-SEVENTH  REGI 
MENT—MARCHING  ORDERS— WASHINGTON,  D.  C.— ACROSS  THE  PO 
TOMAC—FORT  "ETHAN  ALLEN"  — SECOND  BULL  RUN  BATTLE— 
ANTIETAM— OUR  YOUNG  COLONEL— THE  "CHRISTIAN  BODY"  — OR 
DERED  TO  JOIN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC— HEAVY  MARCH- 
AMUSING  SCENES— A  SPLENDID  SHOT— SCIENTIFIC  PORK-BUTCHER 
ING—DISAPPEARANCE  OF  A  RAIL  FENCE— A  FRIGHTENED  CITIZEN— 
THE  "ELEVENTH  MAINE"— THE  CHAPLAIN  BAMBOOZLED— MILITARY 
NECESSITY— ACQUIA  CREEK— COMFORTLESS  QUARTERS— GEN.  BURN- 
SIDE'S  ARMY  — CAMP  ALLEMAN  —  MAJOR-GENERALS  COUCH  AND 
HOWARD. 

WITH  the  great  uprising  of  the  northern  people  on 
account  of  the  firing  on  our  time-honored  flag,  I  was 
drawn  into  hearty  and  active  sympathy.  When  it  be 
came  evident  that  secessionists,  in  their  blind  infatuation 
and  rage,  were  determined  on  war,  every  true  man  was 
bound  to  show  his  colors.  It  thrilled  my  soul  to  hear 
of  the  great  heart  of  the  people  being  filled  and  fired 
with  patriotic  ardor.  The  stirring  sound  of  fife  and 
drum,  the  hurried  movement  of  troops,  the  formation 
of  camps,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  an  army  was  col- 


TO  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

A  patriot's  duty.  Off  to  Washington. 

lected,  equipped,  and  placed  around  the  Capital,  gave 
ample  evidence,  that  the  Union  was  dear  to  the  great 
masses,  and  would  not  be  surrendered  without  a  struggle 
to  maintain  the  right  against  despotism.. 

I  entered  into  the  glorious  cause  without  a  question  as 
to  my  duty,  and  assisted  to  the  extent  of  my  influence  in 
recruiting  companies  for  the  war.  I  felt  that  I  owed 
everything  to  my  government  in  the  struggle  pending, 
until  victory  should  crown  her  efforts  in  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion,  and  the  external  overthrow  of  its  prime 
moving  cause,  slavery. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  Penn 
sylvania  Volunteers  was  organized  at  Camp  Curtin,  on  the 
13th  day  of  August,  1862,  and  left  Harrisburg  for  Washing 
ton  on  the  following  morning.  I  have  already  intimated 
my  connection  with  this  body  of  troops  as  regularly  com 
missioned  Chaplain.  We  reached  Washington,  D.  C., 
on  the  16th  of  August,  crossed  the  Potomac  into  Vir 
ginia,  and  went  into  camp,  which  we  named  "Jennings/7 
in  honor  of  our  Colonel.  We  remained  here  only  a 
short  time,  under  General  Whipple,  and  were  ordered  to 
"  Fort  Ethan  Allen,"  where  we  remained  on  guard  duty 
during  the  second  Battle  of  "Bull  Run."  We  could 
hear  occasionally  the  roar  of  rebel  cannon  in  the  distance, 
and  the  sensation  was  peculiar  for  the  first  time.  We 
next  received  orders  to  go  into  camp,  and  called  it 
"Camp  Boas,"  in  honor  of  Colonel  Boas,  of  Harrisburg. 

Our  duty  here  was  to  guard  the  Chain  Bridge.  Dur 
ing  the  Battle  of  Antietam,  we  were  under  command  of 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC.  71 

Amusement  in  camp.  A  Christian  soldier 

General  Abercrombie,  and  spent  two  months  at  this 
post. 

Here  we  held  regular  religious  meetings,  and  spent 
the  time  very  agreeably  in  such  amusement  as  the  sol 
dier  needs  to  while  away  the  time.  A  company  of  men 
numbering  about  one  thousand,  will,  if  idle,  invent  many 
ways  to  have  fun,  and  break  the  monotony  of  what 
would  be  a  very  dull  mode  of  life. 

Our  youthful  colonel  displayed  qualities  which  con 
stitute  the  true  soldier.  He  was  kind  to  his  command, 
but  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  won  the  respect  and  confi 
dence  of  both  officers  and  men. 

Our  next  move  was  about  three  miles  toward  the 
front,  where  we  formed  a  camp,  and  called  it "  Koherer," 
in  honor  of  our  Major.  In  this  location  we  remained 
but  twenty-four  hours,  when  we  were  ordered  to  our 
former  post,  near  "  Fort  Ethan  Allen."  Here  we  estab 
lished  Camp  "  Awl,"  in  honor  of  one  of  our  captains,  a 
gentleman,  a  scholar,  and  a  noble  Christian,  with  whom 
I  was  proud  to  be  associated.  We  were  formed  into  a 
brigade,  of  which  our  colonel  was  placed  in  command, 
leaving  the  charge  of  the  regiment  in  the  hands  of  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Alleman. 

While  in  Camp  Awl,  I  formed  an  association  embrac 
ing  all  the  professors  of  religion,  which  we  termed  a 
"Christian  body."  This  afterwards  proved  a  great 
blessing  to  the  men  of  our  regiment.  Our  meetings 
were  kept  up  with  interest,  and  were  largely  attended. 

On  Sabbath,  the  10th  of  November,  much  to  our  sur- 


72  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

To  the  front.  Heavy  march. 

prise,  as  quite  a  number  of  the  officers  had  erected  winter 
quarters,  we  received  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  on  the 
following  morning  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
then  encamped  near  Fredericksburg,  Va.  Accordingly, 
on  the  morning  of  the  llth  of  November,  1862,  we  fell 
in,  and  took  up  the  line  of  march  during  a  heavy  rain 
storm.  Our  route  was  through  Washington,  and  down 
the  north  side  of  the  Potomac  to  Acquia  Creek. 

The  first  day's  march  was  very  severe  on  the  men, 
many  of  whom  became  exhausted  with  fatigue.  I  tried 
to  relieve  the  most  weary,  by  allowing  them  by  turns  to 
ride  my  horse,  while  I  shouldered  their  muskets,  and 
kept  step  to  the  music  of  the  Union. 

We  passed  through  several  counties  of  Maryland, 
where  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  appear  to  be  strong  se 
cessionists;  and  from  their  manner  it  was  evident  their 
sympathies  all  turned  in  favor  of  Jeff.  Davis.  The  sol 
diers,  knowing  this,  did  not  spare  the  poultry  yards,  as 
they  passed  along.  I  witnessed,  one  day,  a  very  re 
markable  specimen  of  skill  on  the  part  of  one  of  our  pri 
vates,  who,  seeing  two  chickens  in  a  barn-yard  standing 
directly  in  line,  raised  his  gun,  and  with  a  minie  ball 
cut  both  their  heads  off.  The  trophy  was  soon  slung 
over  his  shoulder,  and  he  jogged  on  with  the  prospect 
of  a  good  supper,  and  the  applause  of  his  companions, 
for  being  the  best  marksman  in  the  ranks.  Another 
man,  taking  it  into  his  head  to  have  a  steak  of  fresh 
pork,  boldly  charged  on,  and  captured  a  pig,  which  I 
saw  him  afterwards  tie  up  to  a  tree,  and  with  all  the  de- 


ARMY   OF   THE    POTOMAC.  73 

A  scared  citizen.  The  chaplain  on  guard. 

liberation  and  skill  of  a  scientific  butcher,  proceed  to 
dress,  to  the  amusement  of  all  who  witnessed  the  trans 
action. 

One  evening  as  we  had  halted,  and  were  arranging 
our  camp  for  the  night,  with  the  aid  of  my  servant  boy 
Dick,  I  constructed  my  tent  with  one  end  supported  by 
a  rail  fence ;  but  as  a  military  necessity,  the  men  of  the 
brigade  very  soon  appropriated  every  rail  of  that  fence 
to  cook  their  coffee,  and  as  a  consequence,  down  came 
my  tent,  flat  upon  the  ground.  "  Well,"  said  I  to  Dick, 
"  it  is  too  late  now  to  build  another,  let  us  look  for  lodg 
ing  at  that  farm-house,"  which  stood  near  by. 

As  we  reached  the  place,  a  farmer  who  lived  about  a 
mile  distant  made  his  appearance,  very  much  frightened 
and  excited.  He  enquired  for  the  commander,  saying 
that  the  soldiers  wrere  killing  his.  cattle  and  hogs,  and 
that  they  threatened  to  shoot  him  if  lie  interfered  with 
them.  I  directed  him  to  the  Brigade  Head-quarters,  but 
the  boys,  supposing  him  to  be  a  rebel,  pointed  out  the 
wrong  man,  and  the  poor  fellow  became  bewildered,  and 
soon  returned  to  me,  exclaiming,  "  My  God,  I  do  not 
know  what  to  do."  I  then  inquired  if  he  was  a  Union 
man.  He  answered  that  he  was.  "  Well,"  said  I,  "  if 
you  will  furnish  me  with  supper  and  a  good  bed,  and 
breakfast  in  the  morning,  I  will  go  home  with  you  and 
act  as  your  guard."  To  this  he  agreed,  and  we  were 
soon  at  his  house.  As  I  aat  by  the  fire,  the  farmer 
looked  down  the  lane  and  cried  out  to  me  in  a  very  ner 
vous  way,  "  Yonder  they  come."  "  Keep  cool,"  said  I, 
7 


74  LIFE    IN    THE   ARMY. 

Outwitted.  i  Good  fare.  Blockade  running. 

"  and  I  will  manage  the  soldiers."  So  I  waited  until  they 
approached  so  near  that  I  heard  voices  in  the  hen-roost. 
I  then  went  out  and  said,  "  Good  evening,  men."  They 
stopped  proceedings  on  finding  me  there,  and  I  told 
them  I  hoped  they  would  not  take  anything,  for  the 
owner  said  he  was  a  good  Union  man,  and  he  had  al 
ready  suffered  to  the  amount  of  eight  hogs.  "  Well," 
said  the  soldiers,  "if  he  is  a  Union  man  we  will  not  dis 
turb  his  poultry,  but  it  is  a  principle  with  us  to  pitch 
into  the  live  stock  of  all  secessionists,  and  set  it  down  to 
the  credit  of  Uncle  Sam."  I  inquired  to  what  regiment 
they  belonged,  and  they  answered,  "The  Eleventh 
Maine,"  and  took  their  departure.  The  cream  of  the 
joke  was,  that  they  all  belonged  to  my  own  regiment. 
But  they  put  on  so  many  airs,  that  I  did  not  know  a 
mother's  son  of  them.  I  enjoyed  a  good  night's  rest 
and  an  excellent  supper  and  breakfast,  and  this,  after  sa 
weary  march,  was  very  refreshing.  My  Union  friend 
presented  me,  in  addition  to  the  contract,  with  two  well 
dressed  chickens,  and  two  pounds  of  butter,  to  regale 
myself  with  as  we  journeyed  on.  Thus  ended  my  first 
and  last  guard  duty. 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  amusing  circumstances, 
which  transpired  on  this  march,  and  which  I  have  not 
here  space  to  give  in  detail. 

All  along  the  route,  secesh  chickens,  hogs,  geese,  ducks, 
turkeys,  horses,  mules,  &c.,  were  missing  about  their  accus 
tomed  homes,  and  I  suppose  the  citizens  either  put  it  down 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  75 


Acquia  Creek.  Camp  Alleman. 


to  military  necessity,  or  made  up  their  losses  by  blockade 
running. 

We  reached  the  Bay  or  Eiver  opposite  Acquia  Creek, 
on  the  18th  of  November,  and  crossed  over  to  the  Vir 
ginia  side,  in  rain  and  snow.  The  men  suffered  a  great 
deal,  having  no  dry  place  to  lay  their  heads  during  that 
stormy  night. 

November  30th,  we  again  took  up  our  line  of  march  and 
arrived  within  the  lines  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  21st.  We  went  into  camp,  which 
we  named  "Camp  Alleman,"  in  honor  of  our  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  here  we  had  a  little  rest  after  our  march  of 
eight  days.  The  officers  and  men  stood  the  fatigue  re 
markably  well,  and  proved  themselves  good  soldiers. 
Oar  regiment  was  then  placed  in  the  second  army  corps, 
under  Major-General  Couch,  and  Major-General  Howard, 
as  Division  Commander. 

This  began  to  look  like  war,  in  earnest,  and  the 
mighty  army,  of  which  we  now  formed  an  integral  part, 
seemed  to  be  impressed  with  the  idea  that  serious  busi 
ness  was  near  at  hand.  Awaiting  the  deliberations  of 
the  master  minds,  who  were  in  war  counsel,  and  corre 
spondence  with  Washington,  these  tens  of  thousands 
were  ready,  at  a  word,  to  advance  and  meet  the  enemy. 
The  chaplains  were  all  industriously  engaged,  meetings 
were  held,  and  the  mails  collected  and  conveyed  a  large 
number  of  letters  from  our  men  to  their  friends  at  home. 


76  LIFE    IN    THE   ARMY. 


Preparations  for  battle.  Religious  seriousness. 


CHAPTER   X. 

WAR. 

CAMP  BROKEN— MARCH  TO  THE  FRONT— FREDERICKSBURG— PREPARA 
TIONS  FOR  BATTLE— RELIGIOUS  MEETINGS— OPENING  OF  THE  FIGHT- 
TERRIFIC  CANNONADE— PONTOONS— REBEL  SHARP-SHOOTERS  ROUTED 
—A  DARING  EXPLOIT— CAPTAIN  FOX  MORTALLY  WOUNDED— OUR  REG 
IMENT  ORDERED  ACROSS— UNDER  FIRE— CASUALTIES— THE  REBEL 
YELL— THREE  DAYS'  TERRIBLE  SLAUGHTER— DEFEAT  OF  OUR  ARMY- 
CAUSES— RETREAT  TO  OUR  OLD  CAMP— "TRY,  TRY  AGAIN." 

ON  November  22d,  1862,  our  camp  "Alleman"  was 
thrown  into  a  state  of  unusual  excitement,  by  orders 
received  that  we  must  prepare  to  move  on  the  23d. 
Our  prayer  and  experience  meetings  on  that  evening 
were  well  attended,  and  deep  seriousness  seemed  to  fall 
upon  the  hearts  of  all.  The  men  knew  that  they  were 
now  near  the  foe,  and  that  a  desperate  battle  was  im 
pending.  Thoughts  of  home,  and  the  many  friends  they 
had  left  behind ;  thoughts  of  the  future, — the  numerous 
risks  of  the  battle-field,  the  probability,  nay,  the  almost 
certainty,  of  some  of  the  present  company  falling — all 
combined  to  bring  a  crowd  of  solemn  reflections  to  every 
mind.  We  had  a  good  meeting,  and  many  expressed 
the  hope,  through  Jesus,  if  no  more  permitted  on  earth 
to  mingle  our  songs  and  supplications,  that  we  should 
have  a  glorious  meeting  in  the  land  of  everlasting  rest. 


ARMY    OF    THE   POTOMAC.  77 

The  army  in  motion.  Pontoons. 

According  to  previous  notice,  the  morning  of  the  23d 
found  us  early  astir.  The  roll  of  drums,  and  the  hurried 
formation  of  ranks  of  armed  men,  with  the  evolutions 
of  artillery  getting  into  position,  produced  a  scene  of  be 
wildering  confusion,  while  occasionally  the  startling  sound 
of  cannon  broke  upon  the  ear,  and  quickened  the  blood 
coursing  in  our  veins.  By  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the 
whole  army  was  in  motion,  and  ready  for  the  command 
"forward,"  to  the  field  of  carnage  and  blood.  It  was  a 
thrilling  spectacle  to  see  the  thousands  of  officers  and 
men,  all  obedient  to  one  governing  mind,  wheel  into 
their  positions,  and  move  away  from  their  pleasant 
quarters,  to  try  once  more  the  issue  of  battle. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  at  this  time  in  splendid 
condition,  and  capable  of  great  achievements  for  their 
country  and  its  glorious  flag.  Mingling  with  the  enthu 
siasm  of  the  movement,  there  could  be  observed  a  spirit 
of  intense  seriousness  among  the  men.  Many  requested 
an  interest  in  our  prayers,  and  on  every  countenance 
could  be  plainly  read  the  feelings  of  the  heart,  which 
were  to  conquer  or  die. 

Our  section  of  the  army  was  halted  just  in  front  of  the 
city  of  Fredericksburg. 

We  found  the  engineers  busily  engaged  in  laying 
pontoon-bridges  across  the  river.  This  was  a  hazardous 
undertaking,  and  cost  many  a  noble  life.  Again  and 
again  was  the  work  interrupted  by  a  murderous  fire, 
kept  up  by  rebel  sharp-shooters  on  the  other  side:  but, 

just  as  often,  our  brave  fellows  dashed  on,  and  at  length 

7  * 


78  LIFE    IN    THE    ARMY. 

Rebel  sharp-shooters.  Terrific  cannonade. 

completed  their  task  about  three  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon. 

During  this  time,  besides  the  sharp  firing  of  musketry 
which  was  constantly  kept  up,  about  seventy-five  of  our 
cannon,  which  had  been  ranged  on  the  heights,  were 
belching  forth  their  thunder,  and  raining  desolation  on 
the  city,  and  rebel  works  around  it. 

A  brave  band  of  men  volunteered,  and  crossed  the 
river  in  a  boat,  to  silence  the  rebel  sharp-shooters.  They 
were  watched  by  thousands  of  eager  eyes,  as,  amid  the 
storm  of  bullets  now  directed  on  themselves,  they  landed 
and  quickly  stormed  the  rifle-pits,  with  such  boldness 
and  determination,  that  the  sculking  murderers  either 
ran  or  surrendered. 

One  of  that  number  was  a  private  of  Company  I  of 
our  regiment,  and  few  exploits  of  the  war  have  evinced 
more  true  heroism  than  this  expedition. 

The  bridges  being  now  in  order  for  the  passage  of 
troops,  while  our  heavy  ordnance  was  making  the 
ground  to  tremble  beneath  our  feet,  and  amid  the  yell 
ing,  cheering,  and  the  wildest  excitement,  there  was  a 
dash  made  to  cross  the  Rappahanock,  and  support  our 
brave  pioneers  who  held  their  ground  on  the  opposite 
side.  We  could  hear  their  shouts,  and  very  soon  they 
had  reinforcements,  which  enabled  them  to  advance  and 
take  possession  of  the  city. 

Quite  a  large  number  of  our  men  were  killed  and 
wounded  while  engaged  in  laying  the  pontoon  bridges, 
and  among  the  slain  of  that  heroic  few  who  first  crossed, 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC.  79 

Death  of  Captain  Fox.  The  battle  rages. 

was  the  noble  Chaplain  Fuller,  of  Massachusetts,  killed, 
it  is  said,  by  a  minie-bullet,  and  that  fired  by  a  she 
rebel. 

Our  brigade  was  the  first  column  of  troops  ordered  to 
the  other  side,  and  our  regiment  was  the  third  in  the 
order  of  crossing. 

The  enemy,  of  course,  directed  his  fire  on  the  bridge 
while  crowded  with  our  troops.  Shot  and  shell  came 
hurtling  fast  and  furious  on  their  devoted  heads.  Cap 
tain  Fox,  a  gentlemanly,  intelligent,  and  Christian  sol 
dier  of  our  regiment  was  mortally  Avounded,  by  a  frag 
ment  of  shell,  and  died  in  a  couple  of  hours.  I  per 
formed  the  melancholy  duty  of  assisting  to  bury  his 
body  the  next  day,  under  rebel  artillery  fire.  Our 
Colonel  was  a  target  for  the  foe,  and  was  fired  at,  but 
led  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh  bravely  on 
regardless  of  danger,  until  he  entered  the  city,  about 
half  of  which  was  occupied  by  our  forces  that  night, 
and  the  balance  next  morning. 

November  24th,  the  battle  commenced  in  earnest,  in 
the  rear  of  the  city,  and  also  on  our  left,  where  General 
Franklin,  having  crossed  below,  engaged  the  enemy. 
Our  regiment  was  ordered  into  the  fight  at  about  one 
o'clock,  p.  M.,  and  remained  in  an  exposed  situation  for 
several  hours.  A  galling  fire  of  rebel  infantry  and 
artillery,  from  concealed  points,  swept  through  their 
ranks,  until  they  fell  back  under  cover. 

During  this  first  day's  engagement,  Colonel  Jennings 
was  severely  wounded  in  two  places,  but,  like  a  brave 


80  LIFE    IN   THE    ARMY. 

Our  losses.  The  rebel  yell. 

man,  he  refused  to  leave  the  head  of  his  regiment.  Cap 
tains  Henderson  and  Ball,  and  also  Lieutenant  Novioyer, 
were  wounded.  Lieutenant  Shoemaker  was  killed.  He 
was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  courage.  A  number  of 
other  officers  were  injured,  and  several  of  our  men  were 
killed  and  wounded.  I  regret  having  no  correct  list  of 
their  names  to  insert  here,  as  their  bravery  entitles  them 
to  the  most  honorable  record  posterity  can  bestow. 

November  25th,  our  regiment  was  again  under  fire, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Alleman  commanding.  The  expo 
sure  and  carnage  was  even  greater  than  the  previous  day. 
The  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Adjutant  Chayne,  and  several 
of  the  men  were  wounded,  and  our  list  of  killed  was 
considerable.  In  the  three  days'  fighting  our  regiment 
lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  about  one  hundred 
men. 

I  was  near  enough  at  times  to  the  rebel  lines  during 
these  three  terrible  days,  to  hear  their  unearthly,  fiendish 
yell,  such  as  no  other  troops  or  civilized  beings  ever 
uttered.  It  was  not  a  hearty  cheer,  or  hurrah,  or  roar, 
but  a  kind  of'  shriek  as  dissonant  as  the  "  Indian  war- 
Avhoop,"  and  more  terrible. 

Major-General  Franklin's  Division  on  our  left  suc 
ceeded  in  capturing  seven  hundred  prisoners,  and  in 
driving  the  rebel  forces  some  distance  at  one  time  during 
the  battle. 

During  the  night  of  the  26th,  the  whole  army  re 
treated  back  across  the  river,  without  gaining  any  material 


. 
ARMY   OF    THE    POTOMAC.  81 

Causes  of  defeat.  Heavy  losses. 

advantage,  and  after  having  lost  immense  numbers  of 
the  bravest  and  best  men  in  our  ranks. 

Why  were  we  defeated?  In  my  judgment  it  was, 
first,  because  the  rebel  army  had  had  every  advantage 
over  us.  They  fought  behind  stone  walls,  and  had 
natural  intrenchments  which  made  their  position  a  very 
strong  one,  while  our  men  were  compelled  to  attack  them 
and  fight  in -an  open  field. 

Secondly*  I  fear  there  was  a  great  lack  among  our 
general  officers  of  that  concert  of  opinion  and  action 
which  was  necessary  to  success.  Jealousy  and  disloyalty 
had  much  to  do  with  the  defeat  of  our  noble  army 
before  Fredericksburg. 

The  commanding  general,  I  think,  should  not  be 
charged  with  this  disaster.  Great  injustice  has  been 
done  General  Burnside,  by  placing  the  entire  responsi 
bility  on  his  shoulders.  He  is  a  skilful  commander,  a 
brave  soldier,  and  a  high-minded  Christian  gentle 
man. 

The  sum  total  of  our  losses  in  the  three  days'  fight,  is 
reported  at  fifteen  thousand  men,  which  estimate  in 
cludes  the  killed,  wounded,  missing,  and  prisoners,  who 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

It  is  no  wonder  that  both  officers  and  men  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  should  feel  dispirited  as  they  fell 
back  to  their  old  camps  again,  after  such  a  fearful  sacri 
fice  of  life  and  limb.  But  still  there  was  a  determina 
tion  to  "pick  flint"  and  try  again.  That  secesh  rag 
must  be  humbled  to  the  dust.  Those  haughty  rebels 


82  LIFE    IN    THE   ARMY. 

Try  again. 

must  come  to  grief.  This  gigantic  rebellion  must  be  put 
down,  and  the  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved. 
Such  a  determination  could  easily  be  read  in  every 
face. 


ARMY   OF   THE  POTOMAC.  83 


After  the  battle.  Power  of  music. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

WINTER  IN    CAMP. 

AFTER  THE  GREAT  BATTLE— MUSIC  IN  CAMP— CHEERFULNESS  RETURNS- 
REVIEW  BY  GEN.  SUMNER— KIND  WORDS  TO  THE  CHAPLAIN— WHISKY 
RATIONS— FUN  IN  CAMP— SNOW-BALLS  IN  PLACE  OF  £MINIES"— AN  IN 
SULTED  F.  F.  V.— THE  LITTLE  DRUMMER— ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY— DEVO 
TION  SUCCEEDED  BY  DRUNKENNESS— HORSE  RACING— EXHORTATION 
BY  MAJOR-GENERAL  HOWARD— SALE  OF  LIQUOR  STOPPED— GAMBLERS 
RIDING  ON  A  RAIL— RELIGIOUS  MEETINGS— REVIVAL,  AND  NUMBERS 
CONVERTED. 

CHEEKFULNESS  soon  began  to  prevail,  and  the  gloom 
consequent  on  our  discomfiture  at  Fredericksburg,  was 
dispelled  by  the  hope  of  future  success. 

The  officers  and  men  of  our  regiment,  finding  they  had 
to  make  the  best  of  their  present  quarters  for  the  winter, 
displayed  their  ingenuity  in  ways  and  means  to  pass  the 
time  as  comfortably  as  possible.  Our  excellent  regimen 
tal  band  did  much  toward  reviving,  and  keeping  up  the 
spirits  of  the  men.  The  power  of  martial  music  is  won 
derful,  and  we  all  felt  indebted  to  the  musicians  for  their 
unwearied-  efforts  to  amuse  and  cheer  us,  and  to  Mr. 
Ball,  the  efficient  leader,  and  all  the  members  of  our  late 
band,  we  owe  a  thousand  thanks,  for  their  assistance  in 
our  religious  meetings,  by  discoursing  sacred  music  so 
frequently. 


84  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Review  of  the  troops,  A  friend  to  the  chaplains. 

While  Major-GeneralSumnerwas  reviewing  the  right 
grand  division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  one  day,  I 
was  standing  in  my  proper  position  as  a  staff  officer  of 
the  regiment,  and  he  rode  irp,  accompanied  by  a  dashing 
staff,  and  stopping  where  I  was,  inquired  very  kindly 
if  I  was  Chaplain.  I  answered  that  I  was.  He  then 
inquired  if  any  of  the  officers  opposed  me,  and  if  I 
visited  the  hospitals.  I  informed  him  that  I  visited  the 
hospitals  twice  a  day,  and  received  no  opposition  to  my 
work  from  any  one.  He  then  said,  "  Chaplain,  if  any 
of  them  interferes  with  you  in  the  future,  let  me  know 
his  name  and  rank."  I  thanked  the  Major-General  very 
sincerely,  and  told  him  that  was  the  style  I  liked,  and 
would  certainly  report  to  him,  if  any  shoulder-strapped 
gentleman  crossed  my  way  in  the  performance  of  my 
duties.  The  General  then  put  spurs  to  his  charger,  and 
passed  on  to  review  the  troops. 

Such  an  act  of  kind  consideration  shown  me,  in  this 
public  manner,  by  the  distinguished  Sumner,  gave  me 
great  encouragement,  and  exalted  the  General  to  a  very 
elevated  place  in  my  esteem,  as  it  evinced  very  plainly 
his  decided  countenance  for  good  order,  morality,  and  re 
ligion  in  the  army,  and  his  sympathy  and  friendship 
toward  the  often  slighted,  and  much  abused  chaplain. 
If  all  other  Major-Generals  had  followed  his  example 
toward  a  worthy  and  excellent  body  of  men,  as  it  was 
both  their  duty  and  interest  to  do,the  act  would  have  been 
more  creditable,  and  the  results  more  beneficial  than  was 
often  the  case. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  85 


Moral  qualifications.  A  temperance  regiment. 

That  officer,  I  care  not  who  he  is,  who  gives  his  sanc 
tion,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  profanity,  vice,  and  immo 
rality,  is  a  disgrace  to  the  service,  and  ought  to  be 
dismissed  at  once. 

After  General  Hooker  took  command,  an  order  was 
issued,  allowing  whisky  rations  to  be  distributed  to  the 
army.  As  soon  as  I  became  aware  of  this  arrangement, 
I  asked  our  Colonel  if  he  was  going  to  allow  the  issuing 
of  whisky  rations  to  the  men  of  his  command,  remarking 
at  the  same  time,  that  he  had  under  his  care  the  sons  of 
many  praying  fathers  and  mothers,  and  that  I  thought 
this  course .  would  demoralize  the  men,  and  awaken  in 
them  such  an  appetite  for  strong  drink  as  would  be 
highly  dangerous,  and  might  lead  some  of  them  to  ruin. 
The  gallant  and  noble-minded  Colonel  informed  me  in 
an  emphatic  manner  that  there  should  not  be  one  drop 
of  whisky  distributed  among  either  officers  or  men  of  his 
regiment.  I  thanked  him,  and  repaired  quickly  to  my 
tent,  where  on  my  knees  I  gave  glory  and  praise  to  God 
for  having  such  a  Colonel,  and  that  he  had  a  proper 
respect  and  care  for  the  moral  welfare  of  his  command. 

He  differed  very  widely  from  many  others  of  his  grade 
in  this  particular.  "What  a  blessing  it  would  have  been 
if  all  had  been  actuated  by  the  same  principle. 

As  the  dull,  weary  days  of  winter  rolled  on,  the  offi 
cers  and  men  devised  many  a  scheme  of  innocent  fun  and 
amusement  in  Camp  Alleman.  Snow-balling  was  one 
of  the  most  popular  and  exciting  pastimes  resorted  to. 
Sometimes  our  regiment  and  the  Sixty-ninth  New  York, 


LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


Snow-balling.  An  "  F.  F.  V."  in  trouble. 

that  was  encamped  very  near  us,  would  get  up  a  regular 
pitched  battle,  and  instead  of  the  "  minie,"  would  try  to 
demolish  each  other  with  volleys  of  snow-balls.  At 
times  the  Sixty-ninth  would  bring  out  their  time-honored 
and  bullet-riddled  battle-flag,  and  challenge  our  boys  to 
try  and  capture  it.  Again  our  men  would  display  their 
colors,  and  dare  the  others  to  come  and  take  it.  While 
the  two  regiments  were  engaged  one  day  in  a  regular 
"  set-to,"  a  secesh  citizen  was  riding  past,  and  received 
a  tremendous  whack  from  a  snow-ball  which  was  thrown 
by  one  of  the  little  drummer  boys.  The  instant  Mr. 
Secesh  was  hit,  he  jumped  from  his  horse  and  ran  to 
wards  the  boy,  as  though  he  intended  to  knock  him 
down.  At  that  moment  two  of  our  men  who  were 
watching  the  movement  stepped  forward,  and  informed 
the  Johnny  Reb  not  to  dare  to  lay  the  weight  of  his  fin 
ger  upon  that  little  boy.  So  the  insulted  Virginian, 
concluding  that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor, 
remounted  his  poor  old  steed,  and  rode  on  his  way  a 
wiser  if  not  a  better  man. 

While  we  lay  in  Camp  Alleman,  First  Lieutenant 
Wm.  R.  Orth  died.  He  was  an  exemplary  young  man, 
of  amiable  character,  and  was  much  respected  and  be 
loved  for  his  many  fine  traits.  Having  lived  as  a  Chris 
tian-should,  he  departed  with  a  hope  bright  and  full  of 
a  blessed  immortality. 

Saint  Patrick's  day  was  a  notable  period  in  the  army, 
especially  among  the  Irish  Catholics.  The  pious  of  this 
persuasion  had  a  grand  time  of  religious  services  in  the 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  87 

General  Howard.  Exhortation. 

morning,  and  this  was  quickly  followed  by  a  general 
spree.  Drunkenness,  horse-racing,  and  fist-fighting  be 
came  the  order — or  rather  the  disorder  of  the  afternoon, 
and  the  day  closed  in  a  regular  "  Tipperary  "  fashion. 

I  met  Major-General  Howard  on  one  occasion,  under 
circumstances  that  I  shall  never  forget.  This  pure  pa 
triot,  and  brave  soldier,  is  known  to  be  a  sincere  Chris 
tian,  and  everywhere  feels  it  to  be  both  a  privilege  and 
duty  to  stand  up  for  Jesus.  The  occasion  I  refer  to  was 
on  a  certain  Sabbath.  I  was  preaching  to  my  men  on 
the  subject  of  the  last  judgment,  and  on  concluding  my 
sermon,  learned  that  General  Howard  had  been  one  of 
my  hearers.  I  at  once  introduced  him  to  the  officers 
and  soldiers  who  composed  my  congregation. 

The  General  stepped  up  and  addressed  them,  saying, 
"  Officers  and  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
seventh  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  I  am  glad 
to  see  so  many  of  you  out  to  hear  preaching  this  Sab 
bath  morning,  and  I  would  to  God,  that  all  the  men  of  my 
command  were  true  followers  of  Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord. 
Soldiers,  allow  me  to  express,  with  your  Chaplain,  the 
sincere  desire  of  my  heart,  that  we  may  meet  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  Great  Judge  in  that  day,  which  he  has  de 
scribed  to  us.  Soldiers,  may  God  bless  you  all." 

That  short  address  made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression 
on  our  men,  and  caused  them  to  think  more  highly  of  the 
General  than  ever  before.  He  is  not  only  a  true  friend, 
but  an  active  and  practical  helper  of  the  Chaplains,  in 
their  sacred  calling  in  the  army,  and  has  been  known  to 


88  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

Whisky  rations.  Gambling  on  Sabbath. 

kneel  by  the  side  of  the  wounded  and  dying  soldier,  and 
tell  him  of  Christ  and  salvation. 

I  was  put  in  possession  of  the  fact  one  day,  that  the 
Brigade  Commissary  was  selling  liquor  to  officers  and 
men,  by  the  canteen  full,  and  determined  at  once  to  stop 
the  traffic. 

I  rode  down  to  General  Howard's  head-quarters,  and 
made  known  my  case.  He  promptly  issued  an  order 
prohibiting  it. 

A  few  days  afterwards  some  of  the  officers  of  the  Bri 
gade,  and  a  certain  officer  of  my  own  regiment,  informed 
me  that  General  Howard  had  ordered  the  Commissary 
not  to  sell  them  any  more  whisky.  They,  of  course, 
knew  nothing  of  my  connection  with  this  business,  and 
did  not  dream  that  I  was  the  cause  of  stopping  their 
rum,  at  this  particular  time.  If  they  but  knew  how 
much  poisonous  strychriine  was  probably  in  that  stuff, 
they  ought  to  have  regarded  any  one  as  a  benefactor  and 
philanthropist  who  put  forth  exertions  to  stop  the  trade, 
and  prevent  the  evil  consequent  on  using  it. 

One  Sabbath  morning  there  were  two  Virginia  gamblers 
who  came  into  our  camp,  and  induced  some  of  the  men 
to  play  cards  with  them.  When  Colonel  Jennings  heard 
of  it,  he  sent  a  guard  down  to  the  spot  where  the  gam 
blers  had  begun  operations,  and  had  the  two  "  profes 
sionals"  marched  up  in  front  of  his  tent.  He  then  gave 
them  a  reprimand,  and  by  his  suggestion  they  were  both 
honored  with  a  ride  upon  a  rail.  In  this  he  served  the 
scamps  exactly  right,  only,  in  my  judgment,  it  would 


ARMY   OF    THE   POTOMAC. 


Revival  in  camp.  Soldiers  converted. 

have  set  off  the  matter  a  little  more  effectually  to  have 
allowed  them,  and  all  their  kin,  a  coat  of  tar  and  fea 
thers  before  mounting  them.  This  would  have  capped 
the  climax,  and  made  a  good  Sabbath  sermon  on  the  sin 
of  gambling  and  its  consequences. 

Our  "  Christian  body"  continued  to  maintain  its  iden 
tity  and  efficiency.  We  had  preaching  every  Sabbath 
when  the  weather  would  admit,  an  experience-meeting 
every  Sabbath  night,  and  prayer-meeting  every  night  of 
the  week  in  my  tent.  God  honored  the  means  em 
ployed,  and  blessed  us  with  a  gracious  revival  of  reli 
gion  in  camp,  which  lasted  several  weeks,  and  resulted 
in  the  conversion  of  a  number  of  souls. 

We  had  many  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  joy  to  me  that  many 
of  our  men  returned  home  from  the  service  of  their 
country  better  than  when  they  enlisted.  It  is  my  prayer 
that  they  all  may  be  made  partakers  of  saving  grace,  be 
come  valiant  soldiers  of  Jesus,  and  when  discharged  on 
earth,  that  they  may  live  forever  in  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

8* 


90  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


Another  campaign.  Engagement  opens. 


CHAPTER   XII. 
HOOKER'S   CAMPAIGN. 

HOOKER'S  CAMPAIGN— THE  CONDITION  OF  THE  ARMY— THE  TROOPS  IN 
MOTION— CROSSING  OF  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK— PRAYER  BEFORE  BAT 
TLE—AN  EVENTFUL  SABBATH  —  REFLECTIONS— CAPTURE  OF  THE 
"  HEIGHTS"— EVENING  SERMON  IN  FREDERICKSBURG— THE  ARMY 
VICTORIOUS— A  STRANGE  TIME  TO  RETREAT— KILLED,  WOUNDED, 
AND  MISSING— WHERE  THE  BLAME  LIES— THE  FINAL  DEFEAT  OF 
WHISKY— OUR  OFFICERS  TRUE  TO  TEMPERANCE— TERM  OF  SERVICE 
EXPIRED  —  ORDERED  TO  REPORT  AT  HARRISBURG  —  HOMEWARD 
BOUND— GRAND  RECEPTION— GALA  BAY— CONCLUSION- 

ON  the  1st  of  May,  1863,  we  again  find  the  army  in 
fine  condition.  Major-General  Hooker  having  been 
placed  in  command,  brought  every  arm  of  the  service  up 
to  the  highest  degree  of  efSeiency  for  the  opening  cam 
paign.  At  this  date,  we  had  been  in  Camp  Alleman  for 
five  months,  when  the  order  came  to  prepare  for  a  for 
ward  movement.  On  the  2d  of  May  the  whole  army 
was  in  motion,  and  a  battle  impending.  The  main  body 
crossed  the  Rappahannock  at  "United  States  Ford," 
while  Sedgwick's  Corps  crossed  below  the  City  of  Fred- 
cricksburg.  The  advance  was  soon  engaged  with  the 
enemy,  who,  aware  of  our  intentions,  was  determined  to 
contest  our  progress  every  foot  of  the  way.  Being  on 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC.  91 

Prayer  before  battle.  The  noise  of  war. 

the  eve  of  battle,  I  was  much  exercised  in  prayer  for 
myself,  the  regiment,  and  our  whole  army. 

I  believe  God  heard  my  prayer,  for  I  felt  composed 
during  the  excitement  incident  to  the  terrific  engage 
ments  which  ensued.  Often  in  the  very  path  of  danger, 
and  with  death  and  destruction  all  around,  I  felt  secure 
in  the  confidence  of  my  heavenly  Father's  protection 
and  care. 

On  Sabbath  morning,  the  3d  of  May,  instead  of 
wending  my  quiet  way  to  the  house  of  God,  or  engaging 
in  divine  service  in  the  field,  the  exigencies  of  another 
sanguinary  battle  demanded  all  my  attention. 

I  cannot  in  these  pages  attempt  any  description  of 
military  evolutions,  or  account  for  consequences,  by  tell 
ing  how  "  fields  were  lost  or  won."  My  business  was 
to  cheer  the  faint,  to  succor  the  weary  and  wounded,  and 
to  minister  to  the  wants  of  those  dying  on  the  cold 
ground  or  in  our  temporary  hospitals,  far  from  friends 
and  home.  The  heights  of  Fredericksburg  on  that 
memorable  Sabbath  presented  a  scene  of  activity  and 
terror  far  beyond  my  powers  of  description.  The  noise 
of  battle  rolled  on,  the  belching  flame,  and  heavy  clouds 
of  smoke,  the  din  and  dreadful  strife  between  contending 
hosts,  all  combined  to  make  an  impression  on  rny  feelings 
in  contrast  with  the  memories  of  home,  and  the  fact  that 
whilst  tens  of  thousands  of  my  fellow-citizens  were  being 
summoned  by  the  sweet  tone  of  the  church-going  bell, 
to  pray  and  offer  praise  peacefully  to  God,  thousands 


92  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Sermon  in  the  city.  Bravery  of  chaplains. 

here  were  dying  for  the  right,  for  the  cause  of  God,  hu 
manity,  and  constitutional  liberty. 

After  several  hours  of  hard  fighting,  Sedgwick's  corps 
on  the  right,  assisted  by  our  division  on  the  left,  suc 
ceeded  in  capturing  the  famous  heights  of  Fredericks- 
burg. 

Twelve  pieces  of  artillery  and  four  hundred  prisoners 
fell  into  our  hands.  I  never  left  the  field  all  that  day 
of  sorrow  and  pain. 

The  battle  closed  late  in  the  afternoon,  with  our  forces 
in  possession  of  the  city  and  its  surroundings.  As  our 
regiment  was  ordered  back  to  the  city  to  do  guard  duty, 
I  gathered  a  congregation  of  soldiers,  including  a  few 
of  the  citizens,  and  preached  in  one  of  the  Methodist 
churches  at  night,  under  circumstances  of  extraordinary 
interest. 

What  a  Sabbath  day's  work  this  was  to  me  !  I  only 
hope  that  some  good  was  done  that  eternity  alone  will 
disclose.  It  was  really  one  of  the  most  eventful  days 
of  my  past  life,  and  I  am  glad  to  testify  that  I  was  not 
left  without  the  comforting  presence  of  God. 

The  chaplains,  as  a  general  thing,  displayed  true 
Christian  courage,  and  a  commendable  zeal  in  the  per 
formance  of  their  duties. 

At  the  post  of  danger,  wherever  their  respective  regi 
ments  were  called  to  stand,  there  these  men  of  God 
were  ready  to  point  the  dying  soldier  to  Christ  the  Sa 
viour  of  the  world,  and  by  needful  attention  to  the 
wounded,  to  save  valuable  lives.  V 


AEMY    OP   THE   POTOMAC. 


Order  to  retreat.  List  of  casualties. 


No  remark  is  more  true  than  that  made  by  General 
Howard,  and  it  does  honor  to  both  his  head  and  heart, 
"The  faithful  chaplain  is  the  man  of  the  regiment." 

While  in  our  position  on  the  5th  of  May,  and  confi 
dent  of  success,  an  order  was  issued  to  fall  back,  and  the 
whole  army  retreated  to  the  north  side  of  the  Rappa- 
hanock  River.  The  casualties  to  our  regiment,  in  the 
late  battle,  indicate  how  close  we  were  to  the  work 
of  death,  and  how  bravely  our  officers  and  men  pressed 
forward  in  the  fight.  Lieutenant  Kinsley  was  wounded 
severely,  and  died  soon  afterwards.  He  was  a  gentle 
manly  young  man,  and  a  fine  soldier.  Lieutenant-Colo 
nel  Alleman  was  struck  with  a  piece  of  shell,  knocked 
from  his  horse,  and  severely  injured.  Sergeant  Hum 
mel  was  struck  in  the  forehead  with  a  fragment  of  shell, 
and  died  from  the  effects  of  his  wounds  in  a  few  days. 
The  sergeant  was  a  native  of  Harrisburg,  and  was  a  very 
fine  young  man. 

A  number  of  others  were  killed  or  wounded,  making 
the  entire  loss  of  our  regiment,  in  the  two  great  battles 
under  Burnside  and  Hooker,  two  hundred  and  twenty. 
The  loss  of  our  army  in  the  recent  battle,  including 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  with  those  taken  prisoners 
by  the  enemy,  was  eight  thousand. 

It  was  unaccountable  to  me  then,  and  is  so  to  this 
day  to  many  of  the  officers,  why  we  were  ordered  to 
retreat.  Certainly  "Fighting  Joe"  and  the  brave  army 
who  followed  him  were  not  defeated.  The  rebels  admit 
an  immense  loss;  and  we  had  large  numbers  of  reserve 


94  LIFE    IN    THE   ARMY. 

Our  forces  not  defeated.  The  last  Whisky  attack. 

troops  who  were  not  in  action ;  but  waiting  and  ready  to 
be  ordered  to  advance.  There  was  no  sign  or  feeling 
of  defeat  among  our  forces.  The  troops  came  out  of  bat 
tle  in  good  spirits,  full  of  vigor  and  hope,  and  all  ready, 
at  a  moment's  notice,  to  move  forward  again.  To  say 
at  that  time,  in  the  presence  of  any  of  our  officers  or 
men,  that  we  had  been  whipped,  would  have  been 
resented  as  an  insult.  These  considerations,  all  taken 
together,  prove  conclusively  that,  whatever  induced  the 
commander  to  relinquish  his  position  on  the  very  eve 
of  a  signal  victory,  it  could  not  be  the  fact  of  disaster. 
It  must  have  been  the  apprehension  of  defeat. 

Soon  after  these  occurrences  I  had  another  difficulty 
on  the  whisky  question.  An  order  was  issued  from 
head-quarters  that  the  entire  army  should  be  regularly 
supplied  with  whisky  rations.  "When  the  order  came  to 
our  regiment  Colonel  Jennings  happened  to  be  field- 
officer  of  the  day,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alleman  was 
in  command  of  the  regiment.  I  was  not  in  camp  at  the 
time;  but,  thank  God,  our  Lieutenant-Colonel  sent  word 
down  to  head-quarters  that  he  could  not  allow  the  dis 
tribution  of  whisky  under  any  circumstances  to  our  men. 
They  then  sent  up  a  second  order,  and  he  firmly  per 
sisted  in  his  refusal  to  allow  it.  He  was  then  politely 
requested  to  appear  at  head-quarters,  and,  just  as  he  was 
about  to  start,  I  returned  to  camp.  He  informed  me 
of  the  whole  affair,  remarking  that  he  supposed  they 
would  take  his  sword.  "Well,"  said  I  to  him,  "you 
stand  firm  as  a  rock,  and  do  not  take  a  word  back.  Let 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  95 

Time  expired.  Reflections  on  intemperance. 

them  take  your  sword.  Our  term  of  service  has  expired ; 
and  if  they  dare  to  take  it  for  doing  your  duty  I  will 
publish  the  whole  matter;  and  the  men  of  our  regiment 
intend  to  present  you  with  a  better  sword  as  soon  as  we 
reach  Harrisburg."  The  Lieutenant-Colonel  did  stand 
"firm  as  a  rock,"  and  they  did  not  take  his  sword.  We 
carried  the  day,  and  from  first  to  last  did  not  allow  our 
men  to  be  poisoned  with  their  abominable  "whisky 
rations." 

Both  Colonel  Jennings,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alle- 
man  of  the  One  hundred  and  twenty-seventh  Pennsylva 
nia  Volunteers,  deserve  the  gratitude  of  all  friends  of 
morality  and  temperance,  for  their  uncompromising  op 
position  to  this  curse  of  humanity.  For  all  sensible  men 
must  admit  that  drunkenness,  and  everything  that  leads 
to  it,  in  the  army  and  elsewhere,  has  been  productive  of 
"  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually." 

Those  who  have  been  conversant  with  the  facts,  know 
that  abundance  of  liquor  has  always  been  smuggled  into 
our  armies  by  the  connivance  of  high  officials,  arid  that 
officers  of  superior  grade  have  frequently  imbibed  too 
much,  thereby  rendering  them  unfit  to  command  our 
brave  patriotic  men ;  and  that  intemperance  has  wrought 
disaster,  and  caused  blunders,  and  mistakes  on  many  a 
bloody  field. 

Yes,  in  some  instances,  where  there  was  no  other 
ostensible  cause  for  retreats  and  defeats,  the  whisky 
bottle  may  be  set  down  as  the  worker  of  immense  mis 
chief.  I  care  not  how  great  the  general  may  be,  or 


96  LIFE   IN   THE   AKMY. 


Drunken  officers.  Mustered  out. 


how  skilful  to  command  an  army,  when  his  brains  be 
come  addled  by  too  much  "  Jersey  lightning,"  he  is  not 
fit  to  drive  a  decent  mule  team,  much  less  plan  and  direct 
an  important  campaign. 

Sobriety,  and  a  cool  clear  head,  is  just  as  necessary  to 
our  Generals,  Colonels,  Captains,  and  Lieutenants,  who 
have  the  management  of  men,  as  military  science ;  and 
indeed  the  one  will  not  avail  much,  without  the  other. 
Many  of  the  privates  of  our  large  armies,  have  been  an 
example  in  this  respect  to  their  superior  officers,  and  have 
passed  successively  through  various  ordeals  without  being 
either  drunk,  or  addicted  to  the  use,  in  any  form,  or  to 
any  extent,  of  intoxicating  liquor. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  1863,  our  term  of  service  having 
expired,  we  received  orders  to  report  at  Harrisburg. 
Consequently  we  left  for  Acquia  Creek,  and  secured 
transportation  for  our  destination,  where,  without  further 
mishap,  we  in  due  time  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the 
16th.  Our  return  had  been  expected,  and  the  brave  One 
hundred  and  twenty-seventh,  with  its  noble  officers, 
bearing,  many  of  them,  their  honorable  scars,  met  with  a 
cordial  and  enthusiastic  welcome  home. 

That  day  will  long  live  in  our  memory.  The  Governor, 
heads  of  the  various  departments,  crowds  of  citizens  of  the 
city  and  surrounding  country,  ladies  with  bright  smiles 
and  waving  banners,  the  resounding  hurrah !  and  all  the 
associations  of  our  generous  reception,  was  a  fitting  and 
full  reward  for  what  we  had  endured  in  weary  marches, 
and  braved  on  bloody  battle-fields,  in  the  performance 


ARMY  OF  THE   POTOMAC.  97 

Grateful  thanks.  End  of  army  experience. 

of  that  high  duty,  for  which  we  had  given  ourselves  to 
the  service  of  our  beloved  country. 

Many  towns  and  cities  have  done  well  in  furnishing 
men  and  means  for  the  war,  and  have  extended  kindly 
greetings  to  the  returning  soldier,  but  in  these  respects, 
none  has  exceeded  Harrisburg,  the  Capital  of  our  glorious 
and  patriotic  Commonwealth.  Her  sons  and  fair  daugh 
ters  are  an  honor  to  the  Keystone  State,  and  in  behalf 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh,  I  take  the 
liberty  here  to  express  my  most  sincere  and  fervent 
thanks  fo*  our  grand  reception,  and  such  a  recognition 
of  our  services  as  was  then  and  there  publicly  given  us. 

Thus  ended  my  experiences  of  army  life  in  camp  and 
field.     I  shall  next  try  to  recount  my  views  in  other  de 
partments  of  the  service,  if  the  kind  reader  will  follow 
the  lines  of  my  hurried  pen. 
9 


98  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


Colonel  Jennings.  A  model  soldier. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE    ONE   HUNDRED  AND    TWENTY-SEVENTH   PENNSYL 
VANIA    VOLUNTEERS. 

DISTINGUISHING  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THE  OFFICERS  AND  PRIVATES 
OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PENN 
SYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS— FIELD  OFFICERS— COLONEL  W.  W.  JEN 
NINGS—PEN  AND  INK  SKETCHES— TESTIMONIAL  BY  THE  OFFICERS 
—COLONEL  JENNINGS,  JUNIOR— LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  ALLEMAN— A 
WORKING  OFFICER— HANDSOME  PRESENT— THE  LIEUTENANT,-COLO- 
NEL  IN  PURSUIT  OF  A  REBEL  SPY— SOLD— THE  SPY  A  WOMAN- 
HINT  TO  THE  LADIES— MAJOR  ROHRER— SURGEON  E.  II.  HORNER— 
STAFF  OFFICERS— ASSISTANT  SURGEON  H.  L.  VASTINE— CHAPLAIN 
J.  CHANDLER  GREGG— QUARTERMASTER  JOHN  F.  ORTH— ADJUTANT 
A.  C.  CHAYNE— LINE  OFFICERS— CAPTAIN  J.  WESLEY  AWL,  &c.,  &c— 
LIEUTENANTS,  AND  THEIR  RESIDENCES— PRIVATES— A  RESPECT 
ABLE  BODY— GOOD  MORALS— TABLE,  SHOWING  WHERE  RECRUITED— 
THE  CHAPLAIN'S  FAREWELL. 

FIELD  OFFICERS.  Colonel  W.  W.  Jennings,  who 
commanded  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  is  a  young  man  of  good  judg 
ment,  rather  quiet  in  his  disposition,  of  few  words, 
decided  in  his  opinions,  of  steady  and  temperate  habits, 
and  possessing  a  kind  heart;  always  making  a  true 
friend,  as  there  is  nothing  hidden  or  deceitful  to  be  found 
in  his  noble  nature ;  always  ready  and  willing  to  listen 
to  the  complaint  of  the  private  soldier,  and  extend  to 


ARMY   OF  THE   POTOMAC.  99 

Elements  of  clikracter. 

him  his  sympathy  and  protection.  He  possessed  those 
peculiar  characteristics  which  at  once  distinguish  a 
model  man. 

While  on  duty  he  was  Colonel  Jennings ;  but  off  duty 
he  caused  all  to  feel  easy  and  at  home  in  his  presence. 
Recognizing  in  each  a  fellow-soldier,  he  never  gave  evi 
dence  that  he  considered  himself  a  superior.  It  was  this 
particular  feature  in  his  character  which  rendered  him 
so  popular  with  the  men  of  his  command.  He  is  calm 
and  self-possessed,  and  as  a  general  thing  free  from  ex 
citement.  He  is  very  plain  in  his  dress,  entirely  free 
from  those  manifestations  of  vanity  that  stand  out  so 
prominently  in  the  character  of  many  of  our  military 
officers.  The  time  spent  by  many  in  combing,  brushing 
and  dressing,  our  Colonel  spent  in  studying  military 
tactics,  reading,  and  conversation ;  or  enjoying  innocent 
fun  with  his  clerk.  Whenever  you  would  see  a  large 
pipe  made  out  of  the  root  of  a  tree,  with  a  stem  about 
two  feet  long,  moving  about  through  camp,  you  might 
expect  to  see  the  Colonel  in  its  rear.  When  this  ma 
chine  was  fired  up,  you  might  see  great  clouds  of  smoke 
rolling  upward  like  the  mists  of  morning.  The  pipe, 
in  camp,  was  his  intimate  friend  and  companion.  The 
Colonel  fared  sumptuously  every  day.  He  was  very 
careful  to  see  that  the  wants  of  his  inner  man  were  sup 
plied  with  provisions  of  the  best  quality  that  the  market 
and  circumstances  afforded,  without  consulting  expense. 
He  is  a  young  man  of  industrious  habits,  but  was  not 
the  earliest  riser  in  camp,  and  seemed  confident  that  the 


100  LIFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

Methodist  parentage.*  Fidelity.  .» 

sun  would  rise  regularly  whether  he  did  or  not.  If  he 
will  excuse  me  I  may  inform  his  friends  that  many  of 
us  were  accustomed  to  think  we  had  the  best-looking 
Colonel  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  is  an  excel 
lent  singer,  and  had  his  training  in  the  choir  of  the 
Locust  Street  M.  E.  Church  in  the  city  of  Harrisburg, 
before  joining  the  army ;  and  I  might  add,  that  his  very 
worthy  parents  have  been  members  of  that  church  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  fact  that  he  was  rocked  in  the 
cradle  of  Methodism,  and  educated  under  Methodist 
influences,  is  one  of  the  great  causes  why  he  stands  to 
day  a  true  and  upright  man. 

He  seems  to  have  been  blessed  with  natural  military 
abilities,  as  is  proven  by  the  fact  that  the  commanding 
generals  under  whom  our  regiment  was  placed,  mani 
fested  a  great  interest  in  him.  They  discovered  that  he 
had  the  qualities  of  a  true  soldier  centered  in  him ;  hence 
he  was  often  placed  in  command  of  brigades,  over  colo 
nels,  older  than  himself  both  in  years  and  experience. 
He  was  always  kind  to  me,  attended  public  preaching, 
and  encouraged  others  to  do  so.  He  was  brave  in  battle ; 
for  although  severely  wounded  in  the  early  part  of  the 
first  engagement,  he  kept'it  concealed  from  his  men,  and 
remained  in  command  until  his  regiment  was  ordered 
off  the  field ;  and  the  next  day,  while  in  the  hospital  in 
Fredericksburg,  unfit  for  duty,  at  a  time  when  there  was 
every  prospect  of  the  rebels  shelling  the  city,  I  tried  in 
vain  to  convince  him  of  the  propriety  of  his  being  car 
ried  across  the  river,  beyond  the  range  of  the  enemy's 


ARMY  OF  THE   POTOMAC.  | '  101; 

The  junior  colonel.  Testimonial.  Lieutenant-colonel  Allernan. 

cannon.  He  answered  me,  "  Chaplain,  I  want  to  remain 
with  the  men  of  my  regiment."  I  need  scarcely  'add  to 
this  picture  of  his  character,  that  he  was  very  popular 
with  the  officers  and  privates  of  his  regiment.  At  the 
close  of  our  term  of  service,  the  commissioned  officers 
presented  him  with  a  costly  silver  service  as  a  token  of 
our  esteem.  We  also  presented  his  little  son,  Colonel 
Jennings,  Jr.,  with  a  beautiful  silver  memento,  hoping 
at  the  same  time  that  he  might  live  to  become  as  distin 
guished  as  his  father. 

Col.  Jennings  is  a  native  and  resident  of  Harrisbnrg, 
and  is  a  citizen  of  whom  that  city  may  well  be  proud. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  C.  Alleman  is  a  young  man  of 
marked  ability  as  a  public  speaker,  and  a  lawyer  of  great 
energy,  determination,  and  tireless  industry.  This  has 
contributed  greatly  to  his  success  in  life  as  a  public  man. 
It  matters  very  little  what  opposition  may  confront  him, 
his  indomitable  will  and  untiring  perseverance  enable 
him  to  surmount  it.  He  was  truly  the  working  man  of 
our  regiment,  doing  much  of  the  public  writing.  He 
was  always  ready  and  willing  to  write  for,  or  aid  in  any 
way  possible,  the  officers  or  enlisted  men  of  the  regiment 
who  might  desire  his  services.  He  was  not  off  duty  one 
day  during  our  term  of  service,  except  during  sickness. 
He  has  an  obliging,  kind  disposition ;  but  is  a  man  of 
strong  prejudice,  very  emphatic  in  his  language,  and  de 
cided  in  his  opinions.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian, 
and  a  vegetarian  in  his  diet,  not  even  drinking  coffee  or 
9*  » 


.102  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  sword  presented.  Pursuit  of  a  spy. 

tea  at  his  meals.  He  never  drinks  intoxicating  liquors 
of  any  kind,  and  may  be  considered  a  true  friend  of  the 
cause  of  temperance.  He  proved  himself  to  be  an  effi 
cient  and  brave  officer  in  each  of  the  great  battles.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  during  the  last  battle  he  was 
struck  with  a  piece  of  shell  and  knocked  off  his  horse. 
The  colonel  of  the  regiment  requested  me  to  convey  him 
off  the  field,  but  he  refused  to  go  with  me,  saying  he 
wished  to  remain  with  the  regiment.  He  is  very  gay  in 
his  dress,  and  in  that  particular  excelled  any  of  our  offi 
cers.  He  is  a  man  that  enjoys  a  good  joke,  and  is  full 
of  fun,  often  seeing  objects  to  laugh  at  that  others  would 
pass  by  unnoticed.  He  was  very  kind  to  me,  and  at 
tended  public  preaching,  encouraging  others  to  do  so. 
The  privates  of  the  regiment  presented  him  with  a  very 
costly  and  handsome  sword  at  the  expiration  of  our  term 
of  service,  as  a  token  of  their  esteem.  The  following 
joke  is  told  of  him.  One  day  while  he  and  another 
officer  were  returning  from  battalion  drill  across  the 
Chain  Bridge,  the  guard  informed  him  that  a  person 
whom  they  considered  a  spy,  had  just  passed,  dressed  in 
woman's  apparel :  our  lieutenant-colonel  spurred  his  fine 
cream-colored  steed,  moving  forward  with  his  compan 
ion  in  hot  pursuit,  at  the  rate  of  two-forty  on  a  plank 
road.  They  had  concluded  it  would  be  a  big  thing  to 
capture  a  spy :  but  lo  and  behold,  the  supposed  spy 
turned  out  to  be  a  lady,  and  she  got  beyond  our  lines 
before  being  captured  by  her  pursuers !  The  colonel  will 
excuse  me  if  I  inform  the  ladies  of  Harrisburg  that  al- 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  103 

Our  Major.  The  surgeons. 

though  he  failed  to  make  a  capture  then,  he  is  still  con 
tinuing  the  pursuit.  May  he  soon  succeed  in  capturing, 
not  a  rebel  female  spy,  but  one  of  the  fair  daughters  of 
the  Keystone  State  as  the  future  Mrs.  H.  C.  Alleman, 
and  may  he  realize  that  there  is  more  pleasure  in  posses 
sion,  than  even  in  pursuit  on  horseback.  He  is  also  a 
resident. of  the  city  of  Harrisburg. 

Major  J.  Rohrer  was  a  quiet,  self-possessed  man,  kind 
and  social,  temperate  in  his  habits,  and  decided  in  his 
opinions.  Pie  displayed  good  judgment,  and  proved 
himself  to  be  a  worthy,  efficient,  and  brave  officer,  per 
forming  his  duties  with  faithfulness  and  success.  He 
made  many  friends  among  the  private  soldiers,  by  frank 
ing  their  letters,  and  other  acts  of  kindness  shown  them. 
If  the  Major  will  pardon  me,  I  might  add  that  in  the 
opinion  of  many  he  was  considered  a  very  fine-looking 
officer.  Eesidence,  Middletown,  Pennsylvania. 

STAFF  OFFICERS.  Surgeon  E.  H.  Horner,  by  promo 
tion,  is  a  Christian  gentleman  of  superior  abilities  as  a 
medical  man.  He  possesses  an  amiable  disposition,  and 
proved  himself  to  be  a  very  efficient  officer.  He  attended 
public  preaching,  and  gave  me  every  possible  encourage 
ment  in  my  daily  visits  to  the  hospital. 

Assistant  Surgeon  H.  S.  Yastine  was  a  young  man  of 
undoubted  medical  abilities,  temperate  in  his  habits, 
possessing  a  kind  heart,  very  mischievous  and  full  of 


104  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  tall  officer.  A  musical  adjutant.  Line  officers. 

fun,  and  very  popular  with  the  regiment.     Residence, 
Cattawissa,  Pennsylvania. 

Chaplain,  the  reader's  humble  servant,  John  C.  Gregg, 
of  the  Philadelphia  Conference. 

Quartermaster  John  F.  Orth  was  a  young  man  of 
energy  and  enterprise,  and  somewhat  gay  in  his  dress. 
When  this  tall  young  officer  was  riding  upon  his  tall 
gray  horse,  he  had  a  fall  time  of  it,  and  they  made  a 
very  tall  appearance.  When  his  fast  steed  was  under 
full  speed,  it  always  reminded  me  of  a  thunder  storm, 
with  flashing  lightning.  He  made  an  excellent  officer. 
Residence,  Hummelstown,  Pennsylvania. 

Adjutant  A.  C.  Chayne  is  a  young  man  of  a  good  dis 
position,  gentlemanly  and  Christian  in  his  conduct,  and 
of  a  fine  soldierly  appearance.  He  made  a  very  good 
adjutant.  This  young  officer  was  in  the  habit  of  exer 
cising  his  vocal  organs  in  such  a  musical  style,  that  in 
passing  his  tent  he  often  caused  many  of  us  to  halt  and 
listen  with  pleasure  and  delight  to  his  melodious  voice, 
and  the  charming  vocal  music  he  discoursed  to  our  great 
edification.  Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

LINE  OFFICERS.  Captains.  Captain  J.  Wesley  Awl 
commanding  Company  B,  is  an  intelligent,  Christian 
young  man,  a  good  public  speaker,  an  able  lawyer,  and 
a  very  efficient  officer,  possessing  fine  military  abilities. 
He  is  a  man  of  few  words,  of  a  very  quiet  disposition, 
of  unassuming  manners,  and  very  plain  in  his  dress. 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  105 

Captain  Awl.  An  original. 

He  is  the  calmest  and  most  self-possessed  man  that  I 
ever  met ;  entirely  free  from  excitement  in  the  hour  of 
danger,  never  in  a  hurry,  but  always  in  time.  The 
Captain  displayed  a  great  amount  of  coolness,  self-pos 
session,  undaunted  courage  and  bravery  in  each  of  the 
battles  in  which  our  regiment  was  engaged.  He  was 
very  popular  with  the  men  of  his  company,  although  a 
strict  disciplinarian.  He  assisted  me  in  holding  and  sus 
taining  my  religious  meetings,  more  than  any  other 
officer  of  the  regiment.  He  stood  by  me  as  Chaplain 
only  as  a  faithful  Christian  could,  being  ready  at  all 
times  to  assist  and  encourage  by  his  influential  presence 
the  work  of  doing  good  among  the  men.  I  pronounce 
him  a  model  young  man,  and  think  he  deserves  the  sin 
cere  thanks  of  all  the  parents,  sisters  and  brothers  of  the 
privates  of  our  regiment,  for  the  noble  stand  he  took  in 
favor  of  morality  and  religion  during  our  term  of  ser 
vice. 

Were  you  to  meet  a  man  passing  quietly  about  through 
camp,  keenly,  but  unostentatiously  observing  everything 
occurring  around  him,  with  his  pantaloons  stuck  inside 
his  boots,  a  very  broad-brimmed,  low-crowned  slouch 
hat  on  his  head,  stepping  along  with  great  solidity  upon 
the  heel  of  his  boots,  and  the  inevitable  pipe  in  his 
mouth,  you  might  very  readily  conclude  him  to  be  the 
original  Captain  J.  W.  Awl.  I  often  visited  him  in  his 
tent  and  always  found  him  quietly  enjoying  himself,  heels 
higher  than  his  head,  in  reading  or  smoking.  If  the 
Captain  will  pardon  mej  I  will  say  that  in  and  out  of  his 


106  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Captain  Henderson.  Captain  Keene.  Rou^h  and  ready. 

tent,  in  all  his  movements,  he  reminded  me  of  a  con 
firmed  bachelor.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Captain  James  Henderson,  commanding  Company  C, 
is  a  kind,  gentlemanly  man,  very  intelligent,  and  an  ex 
cellent  medical  officer.  He  took  good  care  of  the  men 
of  his  company,  and  was  very  brave  upon  the  battle 
field;  attended  public  preaching,  and  gave  his  influence 
in  favor  of  others  doing  so.  Residence,  Hummelstown, 
Pennsylvania.  • 

Captain  James  B.  Keene,  by  promotion,  commanding 
Company  D,  is  a  young  man  of  religious  habits,  was  a 
member  of  our  Christian  body,  and  a  faithful  and  brave 
officer.  He  attended  all  my  religious  meetings.  Resi 
dence,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Captain  L.  L.  Greenwalt,  commanding  Company  E, 
is  a  man  of  very  steady  habits  and  entirely  free  from  any 
exhibition  of  vanity  in  his  dress.  The  captain  is  what 
many  would  call  a  rough  and  ready  man,  just  the 
kind  of  men  we  need  to  command  'our  armies.  The 
many  starched-up,  kid  glove,  and  band-box  officers  of 
our  army,  have  proven  to  be  a  great  nuisance,  from  a 
want  of  mind,  heart,  and  preparation  for  the  work  of 
putting  down  the  rebellion.  We  need  rough  and  ready 
men  to  command,  as  well  as  in  the  ranks.  I  have  often 
been  amused  at  the  manifestations  of  pride  on  the  part 
of  many  of  the  officers  of  our  army,  and  concluded  that 
if  fine  dress  and  making  a  great  show  would  conquer  a 
peace,  there  has  been  enough  of  it  exhibited  to  put  down 


ARMY   OP   THE   POTOMAC.  107 

A  curious  Christmas-tree.  Captain  Shott. 

twenty  rebellions.  Captain  Greenwalt  is  a  Christian 
gentleman  of  large  experience,  having  traveled  through 
California  and  many  other  parts  of  the  country.  .  He 
was  very  popular  with  the  men  of  his  company,  and 
made  a  very  reliable,  brave,  and  excellent  officer.  He 
was  considered  by  many  a  very  fine-looking  man.  He 
attended  divine  worship  and  assisted  me  in  my  work. 
His  residence  is  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania. 

Captain  Wm.  H.  H.  Hummel,  commanding  Company 
F,  is  a  young  man  of  fine  social  qualities,  and  enjoyed 
the  confidence  of  the  men  of  his  command.  He  was  an 
excellent  and  brave  officer,  having  performed  his  duties 
with  fidelity  and  success.  Residence,  Harrisburg,  Penn 
sylvania. 

Captain  John  J.  Ball,  commanding  Company  G,  is  a 
very  pleasant  man  and  an  excellent  drill-master,  always 
cheerful  and  full  of  fun.  On  Christmas  day,  while  in 
camp,  the  captain  prepared  a  Christmas  tree  that  excited 
much  laughter  and  fun.  He  had  it  trimmed  off  beauti 
fully  with  old  shoes,  empty  bottles,  &c.  He  succeeded 
well  in  performing  his  duties,  was  brave  in  battle,  and 
kind  to  his  men.  Residence,  City  of  Harrisburg. 

Captain  John  R.  Shott  commanding  Company  H,  is  a 
gentlemanly  man,  and  commanded  his  company  with 
ability  and  success.  He  was  on  detached  duty  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  of  service.  His  only  son  and 
only  child,  who  was  a  member  of  his  company,  died 
during  our  term  of  service.  This  great  loss  almost 


108  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Captain  Nissley.  Captain  Dougherty. 

broke  the   Captain's  heart.      Residence,   Middletown, 
Pennsylvania. 

Captain  C.  A.  Nissley  commanding  Company  I,  by 
promotion,  is  a  fine-looking,  gentlemanly  young  man  of 
soldierly  bearing:  an  intelligent,  brave,  and  efficient 
officer.  Under  his  command,  Company  I  improved  in 
drill  and  appearance.  He  attended  public  preaching, 
and  influenced  others  to  do  so.  All  I  could  say  would 
be  in  the  Captain's  favor.  Residence,  Hummelstown, 
Pennsylvania. 

Captain  J.  W.  Dougherty,  commanding  Company  K, 
by  promotion,  is  a  young  man  of  intelligence,  very  lively 
in  his  disposition,  and  full  of  animation.  He  was  very 
gay  in  his  dress,  always  wearing  a  large  feather  in  his 
hat,  from  which  one  would  conclude  that  he  was  rather 
a  fast  young  man ;  but  I  cannot  admit  the  correctness  of 
that  conclusion.  In  one  particular  he  was  very  much 
like  our  Colonel,  that  is,  he  was  very  fond  of  good  living. 
This  young  Captain  made  a  very  efficient  officer,  and  suc 
ceeded  well  in  his  work.  If  he  will  excuse  me,  I  will 
say  that  the  same  remark  I  have  heard  made  about 
Captains  Greenwalt,  Awl,  Nissley  and  Keene,  I  have 
heard  expressed  in  his  case,  namely,  that  the  young  ladies 
of  the  far-famed  Keystone  State  ought  to  enter  their 
solemn  protest  against  either  of  them  living  any  longer 
in  the  state  of  single  blessedness.  What  say,  you  fair 
daughters  of  Pennsylvania  ?  What  say  you,  brother 


ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC.  109 

Hints  to  bachelors.  Roll  of  Lieutenants. 

bachelors,  in  self-defence  ?     Captain  J.  W.  Dougherty 
resides  in  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania. 

LIEUTENANTS.  The  following  are  the  names  and 
address  of  the  Lieutenants  of  the  One  hundred  and 
twenty-seventh  regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

First  Lieut.  A.  J.  Fager,  Company  B.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  Wm.  McCarroll,  Company  B.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  Charles  D.  Wise,  Company  C.    Residence,  Hummelstown,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  David  Hummel,  Company  C.  Residence,  Hummelstown,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  Charles  Osborn,  Company  D.      Residence,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  Marcus  Novinger,  Company  D.  R'esidence,  Millersburg,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  Wm.  P.  Carmony,  Company  E.     Residence,  Lebanon,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  J.  A.  Bowman,  Company  E.     Residence,  Lebanon,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  John  T.  Morgan,  Company  F.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  T.  G.  Sample,  Company  F.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa.. 
First  Lieut.  George  Hynicka,  Company  G.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  Hudson  Denny,  Company  G.     Residence,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  Isaiah  Willis,  C.ompany  H.     Residence,  Middletown,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  Nizzley,  Company  H.     Residence,  Middletown,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  Jerome  W.  Henry,  Company  I.     Residence,  Annville,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  Wm.  W.  Reed,  Company  I.     Residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
First  Lieut.  D.  S.  Long,  Company  K.     Residence,  Lebanon,  Pa. 
Second  Lieut.  J.  W.  Barr,  Company  K.     Residence,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa. 

The  Lieutenants  above  named  were  a  very  fine  body 
of  young  men,  gentlemanly  in  their  conduct,  brave  in 
battle,  and  very  efficient  officers.  They  performed  their 
duties  with  faithfulness  and  success.  All  I  could  say  of 
them  would  be  in  their  favor  as  a  body.  Many  of  them 
attended  Divine  worship. 

The  reader  will  perceive  that  I  have  spoken  favorably  of 
the  officers  of  my  late  regiment.  I  have  done  so,  because 
in  my  sincere  judgment  there  never  was  a  more  worthy 
10 


110  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Where  recruited.  The  private  soldiers. 

corps  of  officers  placed  in  command  of  any  regiment  of 
men. 

The  following  shows  where  the  different  companies 
of  the  regiment  were  recruited : 

Company  B  in  and  around  the  City  of  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Company  C  in  and  around  Hummelstown,  Pa. 
Company  D  in  and  around  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Company  E  in  and  around  Lebanon,  Pa. 
,      Company  F  in  and  around  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Company  G  in  and  around  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Company  H  in  and  around  Middletown,  Pa. 
Company  I  in  Lebanon  and  Adams  Counties,  Pa. 
Company  K  in  Lebanon  and  Schuylkill  Counties,  Pa. 

In  speaking  of  the  privates  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Seventh  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  I 
am  happy  to  be  able  to  testify  in  their  favor  as  a  body. 
I  would  remark, 

First,  They  were  intelligent  above  the  average,  as  is 
proven  by  the  fact  that  in  one  company  there  were  eleven 
school-teachers  and  three  lawyers,  and  each  of  the  others 
had  quite  a  large  proportion  of  very  intelligent  men. 

Secondly,  They  were  a  noble-minded  body  of  men, 
the  most  of  whom  were  incapable  of  performing  a  mean 
act. 

Thirdly,  They  were  men  of  good  moral  character  and 
respectability  at  home.  Many  of  the  best  families  of 
Dauphin,  Lebanon,  and  Adams  Counties  were  repre 
sented  in  our  regiment. 

Fourthly,  They  were  temperate  in  their  habits;  for  I 
never  saw  but  three  of  their  number  under  the  influence 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  Ill 

Serving  God  in  camp.  Christians  in  the  army. 

of  intoxicating  liquors  during  our  term  of  service.  I 
desire  all  the  cowardly  sympathizers  with  armed  rebel 
lion,  that  remained  at  home  to  aid  the  rebels,  to  learn 
that  they  belie  and  slander  the  noble  private  soldiers 
of  our  army  when  they  pronounce  them  a  body  of  drunk 
ards.  I  take  great  pleasure  in  informing  the  enemies 
of  the  private  soldiers  of  our  army  that,  if  they  wish  to 
find  drunkards,  they  may  look  at  home,  and  they  will 
find  countless  multitudes  in  civil  life,  and  increase  the 
number  by  including  themselves.  It  is  a  well-known 
fact  that  the  great  majority  of  the  enemies  of  our  glorious 
cause  at  home,  are  those  drunken,  degraded  wretches, 
that  seldom,  if  ever,  draw  a  sober  breath.  They,  there 
fore,  should  cease  to  accuse  the  private  soldier  of  that  for 
which  nine-tenths  of  them  are  not  guilty. 

Fifthly,  They  were  brave  in  battle;  having  fought  for 
their  country  and  her  cherished  institutions  with  becom 
ing  manliness  and  courage. 

Sixthly,  Many  of  them  were  Christians,  and  united 
with  us  in  our  " Christian  body"  in  camp.  I  would 
again  inform  the  enemies  of  our  soldiers  at  home  that 
they  slander  the  great  multitudes  of  Christian  men  in 
our  armies  when  they  declare  that  none  can  live  a  Chris 
tian  life  when  there.  I  assert  that  the  men  who  say  so 
could  not  live  as  Christians  themselves,  for  lack  of  brains, 
courage,  and  decision  of  character.  Many  of  the  most 
pious  men  of  the  land  were  to  be  found  in  the  army 
among  the  private  soldiers ;  for,  with  many  others  of  my 
regiment,  I  can  testify  that  we  never  attended  church  so 


112  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

The  chaplain  approved.  Parting  words. 

frequently,  or  served  God  so  faithfully  at  home,  as  we 
did  when  far  from  home  and  friends.  A  common  want 
of  divine  assistance  drove  us  to  the  mercy-seat.  I  firmly 
believe  that  our  soldiers  in  the  army  serve  God  more 
faithfully  than  many  who  make  loud  professions  of 
Christianity  at  home. 

At  the  close  of  our  term  of  service  I  was  unanimously 
recommended  by  the  commissioned  officers  to  the  Presi 
dent  for  a  re-appointment  in  the  army  as  chaplain.  They 
in  this  way  testified  to  my  efficiency,  and  manifested 
their  appreciation  of  my  labors. 

I  would  inform  my  brother  officers  that  I  heard  Colo 
nel  Jennings  declare,  a  few  moments  before  we  were 
mustered  out  of  'service,  that  he  had  never  seen  cause  to 
regret  having  made  any  of  his  appointments.  This  I 
consider  a  high  compliment  to  all  who  obtained  their 
appointments  through  his  influence. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  say  to  all  the  officers  and 
privates  of  our  regiment  who  may  read  this  sketch,  that 
I  shall  ever  retain  a  kind  regard  for  them,  and,  with  the 
feelings  of  a  friend,  I  would  request  all  who  are  not 
Christians  to  give  their  hearts  to  Christ  the  Lord.  To 
those  who  are  followers  of  Christ  I  would  say,  Dear 
brethren  in  the  Lord,  as  we  had  so  many  glorious  relig 
ious  meetings  together  while  in  camp  in  tents  below,  let 
us  all  live  true  to  God,  the  Church,  and  each  other,  so 
that  if  we  never  all  meet  on  earth,  we  may  finally  meet 
in  heaven,  to  part  no  more.  Officers  and  privates  of  my 
late  regiment,  may  God  bless  you.  Farewell. 


NOTES   OF   TRAVEL.  113 


En  route.  New  York  city. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

NOTES 


ORDERED  TO  NEW  ORLEANS—  EN  ROUTE—  NEW  YORK—  THE  METHODIST 
BOOK  CONCERN—  REV.  DR.  PORTER—  SANITARY  FAIR—  BROOKLYN— 
ON  BOARD  THE  STEAMER  UNITED  STATES—  OUT  AT  SEA—  ARMY  OF 
FICERS—THEIR  WICKED  CONDUCT—  GAMBLING—  PROFANITY—  DISLOY 
ALTY—  SUBLIMITY  OF  THE  OCEAN—  MOOREHEAD  CITY—  BEAUFORT, 
N.  C.—  COLORED  SCHOOLS—  MISS  LUCKEY—  SEA  SHELLS—  OFF  AGAIN- 
PREACHING  AND  FISHING  ON  SABBATH—  OPINION  OF  AN  OLD  TAR- 
KEY  WEST—  PORPOISES  AND  FLYING-FISH—GULF  OF  MEXICO—  OFF 
THE  MISSISSIPPI—  PILOT  TOWN—  THE  SEA  GULLS—  UP  THE  RIVER- 
FORTS  JACKSON  AND  ST.  PHILIP—  QUARANTINE  HOSPITAL—  THE 
COLORED  PEOPLE—  "GLORY  TO  GOD"—  ARRIVAL  AT  NEW  ORLEANS- 
DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  RIVER—  ALGIERS. 

MY  appointment  as  Hospital  Chaplain,  by  President 
Lincoln,  and  its  confirmation  by  the  Senate,  with  the 
order  to  report  for  duty  in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf, 
at  New  Orleans,  has  already  been  referred  to.  In  obe 
dience  to  orders,  I  prepared  to  embark  for  my  destina 
tion,  and  reached  New  York  on  the  afternoon  of  Friday, 
April  14th,  1864.  Having  never  been  in  this  magnifi 
cent  city  before,  I  determined  to  improve  the  time  by 
looking  around  me  and  visiting  a  few  places  of  interest. 
I  may  here  state  that  I  was  somewhat  disappointed  in 
my  expectations  of  the  great  metropolis.  The  apparent 
10  *  * 


114  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

The  great  M.-E.  Book  Concern.  Another  location  needed. 

disorder  prevailing  in  every  department  of  business,  the 
rush  and  hurry  of  men,  the  arrangement  of  the  streets, 
and  the  generally  confused  aspect  of  things,  presented  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  staid  and  regular  character 
of  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love,  with  which  I  was  famil 
iar.  A  stranger  in  this  modern  Babel  cannot  repress  a 
feeling  of  commiseration  for  his  fellow-beings  who  are 
doomed  to  live,  labor,  and  pass  their  daily  existence  in 
such  a  place. 

As  a  Methodist  preacher,  the  first  object  of  interest  I 
felt  inclined  to  acquaint  myself  with,  was  the  great  Book 
Concern,  at  200  Mulberry  St.,  the  central  source  of  our 
denominational  literature,  and  the  head-quarters  of  our 
great  missionary  and  other  evangelical  institutions. 

Accordingly,  I  took  a  survey  of  this  renowned  loca 
lity,  externally,  and  in  its  interior  arrangements. 

The  impression  made  upon  my  mind  was,  that  in  re 
gard  to  accommodations,  we  are  far  behind  the  times.  I" 
am  glad  to  know  that  others  more  recently  suggest,  and 
insist  upon  a  change  of  location,  to  Broadway,  for  in 
stance,  where  buildings  of  suitable  respectability  and 
magnitude  may  be  erected  and  occupied  by  our  agents 
and  editors. 

The  spirit  of  the  times,  the  credit  and  character  of 
Methodism,  and  the  actual  necessities  of  the  business 
demand  such  a  change. 

I  had  the  honor  of  meeting  Rev.  James  Porter,  D.  D., 
one  of  our  worthy  book  agents,  during  my  walks  about 
the  "  Concern."  The  doctor  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 


NOTES   OF   TRAVEL.  115 

Rev.  Dr.  Porter.  Methodist  machinery. 

shrewdest  of  that  clear-headed,  active,  and  enterprising 
race  denominated  "  Yankee,"  and  here,  it  would  seem, 
he  is  in  his  native  element,  with  scope  as  wide  as  the 
hemisphere  for  his  planning  faculties,  and  a  routine  of 
urgent  daily  duties  and  responsibilities  to  meet,  that 
would  set  some  men  crazy.  Dr.  Porter,  however,  main 
tains  his  equilibrium,  good  humor,  and  systematic  activ 
ity  in  his  intercourse  with  visitors,  and  correspondence 
with  the  thousands  whose  tastes  and  wishes  are  to  be 
consulted  in  the  prosecution  of  the  complicated  business 
devolving  on  our  agents. 

To  say  that  I  was  delighted  with  Dr.  Porter,  and  that 
I  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  capacity,  integrity, 
and  management  of  both  Carlton  and  Porter,  our  agents, 
at  present,  is  saying  but  little.  May  they  be  long  spared 
to  the  church ;  for  if  ever  the  right  men  were  in  the 
right  place,  I  believe  the  General  Conference  has  hit  the 
mark  in  their  continued  appointment. 

The  agents,  and  the  editor  of  the  Advocate,  our  great 
thunderer,  stand  very  closely  related  to  the  whole  family 
of  Methodists,  and  I  regarded  it  as  no  ordinary  privi 
lege,  after  many  years  of  business  connection  with  them, 
during  which  I  frequently  felt  like  doing  as  the  Indian 
said,  "  shake  hands  with  them  in  my  heart,"  to  meet 
them  face  to  face,  amid  the  machinery,  which  keeps  the 
wheels  in  motion,  and  our  system  vigorous  in  its  con 
templated  plan  to  conquer  the  world. 

I  next  visited  the  great  sanitary  fair  for  the  benefit 
of  our  brave  soldiers  and  their  families,  and  was  led  to 


116  LIFE   IN  THE  AKMY. 

Rev.  Dr.  Crooks.  Our  Steamer. 

thank  God  for  having  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  the  good 
people  of  New  York  to  devise  so  liberally  for  this 
worthy  object.  Many  a  sick  and  wounded  soldier  has 
sent  his  prayers  and  blessing  to  Heaven  for  the  unknown 
benefactors  who  have  lavished  their  means  to  contribute 
to  his  welfare.' 

On  Sabbath  morning,  the  17th  of  April,  I  attended 
Divine  service  at  the  Seventeenth  Street  M.  E.  Church, 
a  spacious  and  beautiful  edifice,  filled  with  a  large  and 
attentive  congregation.  I  was  privileged  to  hear  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Crooks  preach  two  very  able  sermons  morning 
and  evening. 

Next  day,  April  18th,  I  crossed  the  East  River  to  the 
city  of  Brooklyn,  and  was  much  pleased  with  its  appear 
ance,  from  the  short  stay  I  was  permitted  to  make. 

The  steamer  United  States,  on  board  of  which  I  had 
secured  a  berth,  was  all  ready  to  sail  on  the  19th,  and 
bidding  farewell  to  terra  firma  for  a  while,  I  went  on 
board,  and  soon  the  harbor  was  left  behind,  as  we  rapidly 
neared  the  narrows,  and  then  stood  out  to  sea.  I  found 
the  officers  of  the  boat  kind  and  gentlemanly.  Quite  a 
large  list  of  army  officers  were  passengers,  the  majority 
of  whom  soon  displayed  their  ruling  passion,  and  kept 
up  their  favorite  •  pastime  of  gambling,  swearing,  and 
drinking  during  the  entire  voyage. 

I  have  known  some  of  these  miscalled  gentlemen,  so 
infatuated  by  the  vice  of  gambling,  as  to  continue  with 
out  intermission  all  night.  I  was  pained  by  the  reflec 
tion  that  so  many  men  entrusted  with  important  and 


- 
NOTES    OP   TRAVEL.  117 

Disgraceful  conduct.  Infidel  officers. 

respectable  positions  should  be  so  immoral,  profane,  and 
recklessly  wicked,  in  the  face  of  the  prevailing  Christian 
sentiment  of  the  country,  and  while  so  many  associations 
in  the  north  are  engaged  to  Christianize  and  save  the 
men  of  our  noble  armies.  What  society,  I  thought, 
will  undertake  the  task  of  teaching  our  officers  to  respect 
themselves  and  fear  God,  to  read  the  Bible  and  keep  the 
Sabbath  day  holy ;  to  countenance  morality,  prayer,  and 
religious  profession  among  the  private  soldiers,  a  thing 
many  of  them  now  prevent  out  of  sheer  wickedness  ? 

And  yet,  it  is  a  fact,  that  these  corrupt  and  dissolute 
fops,  who  by  the  partiality  of  friends  and  the  power  of 
influence  have  obtained  their  shoulder  straps,  must  admit 
that  the  bravest  and  best  men  of  their  commands  are  the 
men  who  pray  and  try  to  live  a  Christian  life. 

The  reason  why  many  of  our  army  Chaplains  have 
not  succeeded  better,  is  because  of  the  needless,  and  wan 
ton  opposition,  which  some  of  the  officers  have  shown 
to  their. work.  Numbers  of  these  seem  to  be  more  op 
posed  to  .the  principles  of  religion  than  they  are  to  the 
principles  of  the  rebellion,  and  show  more  determined 
obstinacy  in  contending  against  the  cause  of  God,  than 
they  have  ever  manifested  on  the  field  of  battle,  against 
the  rebels. 

During  this  voyage  I  was  led  to  pray,  "  O  God  have 
mercy  on  all  officers  of  our  army  who  speak  of  religion 
with  contempt ;  who  sneer  at  Chaplains  and  their  work ; 
who  would  drive  from  the  ranks  every  praying  man ; 
and  would,  if  they  could,  in  their  shallow-brained  non- 


118  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Work  for  the  hangman.  Out  at  sea. 

sense,  and  corrupt-hearted  purposes,  reason  Thee  out  of 
existence,  and  the  Bible  into  the  fire  !  Pity,  Lord,  all 
such  ninnies,  and  for  Christ's  sake  make  their  hearts  as 
soft  as  their  heads,  Amen."- 

Another  feature  of  character  was  developed  during 
my  observations  among  these  men,  which  I  am  ashamed 
to  be' compelled  to  notice  and  make  public.  Here  we 
had  fellows  commissioned  by  the  government  and  sworn 
to  loyalty,  who  evinced  the  spirit  of  downright  treason, 
and  talked  flippantly  about  those  in  authority,  as  if  they 
were  engaged  to  support  the  cause  of  Jeff.  Davis  and 
the  Devil,  and  bring  discredit  to  the  country,  for  whose 
service  and  defence  they  had  been  engaged.  When  the 
time  comes  to  hang  traitors,  I  hope  the  Secretary  of 
War  will  string  up  a  few  who  have,  from  Major-Genera! 
down  to  Second  Lieutenant,  showed  the  strongest  sym 
pathy  with  rebellion,  and  absolute  hatred  to  liberty  and 
Union. 

After  this  tedious  disgression,  let  us  return  to  the 
voyage.  April  20th,  out  of  sight  of  land.  Above,  the 
sky  ;  around,  a  boundless  waste  of  water. 

This  was  my  first  experience  on  the  mighty  ocean,  and 
the  sensations  awakened  in  my  mind  were  peculiarly 
grand  and  awful.  The  prominent  idea  that  took  posses 
sion  of  me  was  the  immensity,  grandeur,  and  almighti- 
ness  of  God.  Truly  He  "  rides  upon  the  stormy  sky, 
and  calms  the  roaring  seas."  Standing  on  deck,  and 
watching  the  giddy  waves  roll  and  dash  against  the  bul 
warks  of  our  noble  ship,  the  language  of  the  poet  oc- 


NOTES    OF   TRAVEL.  119 

Sublime  impressions.  *  Moorehead  City. 

curred  to  me  as  the  sublime  and  fitting  expression  of 
my  feelings : 

"  Great  source  of  being,  beauty,  light,  and  love ! 
Creator,  Lord  !     The  waters  worship  thee. 
Ere  thy  creative  smile  had  sown  the  flowers, 
Ere  the  glad  hills  leaped ;  or  the  earth 
With  swelling  bosom  waited  for  her  child; 
Before  eternal  love  had  lit  the  sun ; 
Or  time  had  traced  his  dial-plate  in  stars  ; 
The  joyful  anthem  of  the  ocean  flowed, 
And  chaos  like  a  frightened  felon  fled, — 
While  on  the  deep,  thy  Holy  Spirit  moved." 

April  21st,  the  sea  calm,  and  our  vessel  speeding  on 
her  southward  course.  To-day  an  incident  occurred 
which  might  have  resulted  in  terrible  disaster,  but  for 
timely  remedy.  The  ship  caught  fire,  and  for  a  moment 
confusion  and  consternation  reigned.  The  fire,  how 
ever,  thanks  to  a  kind  Providence,  was  speedily  extin 
guished. 

Arrived  at  Moorehead  City,  N.  C.  this  evening.  This 
is  a  small  village  situated  on  a  very  barren  tract  of  land, 
with  no  object  of  interest  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
curious,  or  please  the  tourist  who  is  seeking  the  pictu 
resque  and  beautiful  in  sea-shore  scenery.  The  govern 
ment  has  a  general  hospital  at  this  point,  which  appeared 
to  be  conducted  and  kept  in  good  condition.  Rev.  "W. 
C.  Whitcomb  is  the  Chaplain.  He  is  an  intelligent  and 
deeply  pious  Minister  of  Christ.  One  of  the  soldiers 
on  board  our  vessel,  who  had  been  sick,  was  removed  to 
the  hospital  and  died  there  very  suddenly.  I  attended 
his  funeral  while  we  remained. 


120  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Colored  schools.  Preaching  and  fishing. 

The  government  has  erected  a  strong  fort  near  this 
place  which  commands  the  channel  and  guards  the  en 
trance  to  both  Moorehead  City  and  Beaufort,  another 
poor  straggling  village  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river, 
about  one  mile  and  a-half  farther  up.  It  presents  a 
better  appearence  from  a  distance  than  the  reality  on 
closer  inspection  will  be  found  to  exhibit.  There  are 
two  colored  schools  there ;  one  appears  to  be  in  a  flour 
ishing  condition,  under  the  management  of  a  Miss 
Luckey,  of  New  York.  The  coast  is  covered  with 
beautiful  sea  shells,  but  we  had  no  time  to  get  up  a 
collection  for  future  use,  to  adorn  the  parlor  of  our 
prospective  home.  The  Sabbath  came  while  we  were  in 
port,  and  I  took  occasion  to  preach  a  sermon  as  well  as 
to  get  up  a  patriotic  meeting  on  board  our  ship. 

April  28th,  received  four  hundred  and  fifty  colored 
troops  on  board,  and  found  them  to  be  orderly  and 
soldier-like  in  all  their  deportment.  Left  port  and 
turned  our  course  direct  for  New  Orleans  on  the  29th. 
During  the  30th  we  were  steaming  away  down  the  South 
Carolina  coast,  with  nothing  remarkable  to  disturb  the 
monotony  of  our  voyage. 

May  1st  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  on  board.  The 
sailors  have  been  fishing  all  day,  and  succeeded  in  catch 
ing  a  number  of  king  fish,  weighing  from  sixteen  to 
twenty-five  pounds  each. 

One  of  the  old  Jack  tars  declared  to  me  that  fish  in 
the  sea  always  bite  better  on  Sabbath,  than  on  any  other 
day  of  the  week. 


NOTES    OF   TEAVEL.  121 

« 

Pilot  Town.  The  forts.  Quarantine. 

May  2d,  off  the  Florida  reefs,  in  the  Gulf  Stream, 
where  the  water  forms  a  rapid  current  always  setting  one 
way.  The  porpoises  swim  along-side  of  our  ship  in  droves, 
and  great  quantities  of  flying-fish  are  seen  on  the  surface. 

May  3d,  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  going  at  the  rate 
of  ten  knots  an  hour,  sea  very  rough,  and  Key  West  to 
be  seen  in  the  dim  distance. 

We  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  River  on 
the  5th  of  May.  Found  quite  a  number  of  boats  there. 
A  small  village  located  near  the  outer  bar  is  called  Pilot 
Town.  We  were  cordially  welcomed  by  the  sea-gulls, 
who  seemed  glad  to  see  us,  and  were  boisterous  in  their 
overtures  of  friendship  as  they  followed  us  up  the  river  in 
large  flocks.  There  is  a  bar  formed  across  the  mouth  of 
the  river  by  deposits  constantly  coming  down  with  the 
current.  This  impediment  frequently  detains  steamers 
of  heavy  draught  sometimes  for  days  before  they  can 
proceed  up  the  river. 

Fort  Jackson  is  located  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Mis 
sissippi,  and  Fort  St.  Philip  on  the  left,  at  a  distance  of 
thirty-six  miles  from  the  mouth,  and  seventy-eight  miles 
below  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  They  were  both  objects 
of  great  interest  to  us  as  we  steamed  past,  and  scanned 
them  closely.  They  appear  very  strong,  and  well  ar 
ranged  to  resist  attack ;  but  the  brave  old  Admiral  Far- 
ragut  and  his  thundering  mortars,  with  Major  General 
Butler's  forces,  made  quick  and  effectual  work  when  they 
combined  to  reduce  them  and  the  traitorous  crew  who 
resisted  the  legitimate  authority  of  the  government.  The 
n 


122  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY, 

Colored  people  happy.  The  Mississippi. 

quarantine  hospital  is  on  the  left  bank,  seventy-two  miles 
below  the  city.  All  steamers  and  vessels  are  here  over 
hauled  by  a  surgeon  appointed  for  that  purpose,  and  if 
any  on  board  are  found  sick  with  contagious  or  danger 
ous  diseases,  the  vessel  is  detained  ten  days  or  more. 

During  our  passage  up  the  river,  many  of  the  colored 
people  appeared  along  tUe  shore  cheering  and  bidding  us 
welcome;  some  of  them  were  shouting,  "Glory  to  God." 
Even  the  little  children  appeared  to  be  filled  with  a  frenzy 
of  joy,  and  would  frequently  exclaim,  "We  are  all  free!" 
The  appearance  of  these  things  to  me  was  quite  affecting, 
and  will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  such 
exhibitions  of  delight  and  gratitude. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1864,  at  9  P.  M.,  we  arrived  at 
the  city  of  New  Orleans ;  and  before  closing  this  chap 
ter,  if  the  reader  please,  I  will  add  a  few  words  descrip 
tive  of  the  great  Mississippi  River,  which  I  consider  in 
many  respects  the  most  wonderful  in  the  known  world. 
This  magnificent  river  is,  on  the  average,  from  three- 
quarters  to  a  mile  in  width,  and  from  fifty  to  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  feet  in  depth.  The  channel  is  so  bold  that 
vessels  of  the  largest  class  can  lay  up  to  its  banks  any 
where,  and  receive  or  discharge  their  cargoes  without  the 
aid  of  a  wharf.  The  force  of  the  resistless  and  never- 
ceasing  flow  of  its  waters  is  such  that  it  is  slowly  wear 
ing  away  its  banks,  and  in  some  instances  altering  its 
own  course.  In  front  of  New  Orleans  the  river  is  over 
two  hundred  feet  deep,  and  by  the  movement  of  the 
stream  round  a  graceful  curve,  the  opposite  bank,  upon 


NOTES    OF   TRAVEL.  123 

Algiers. 

which  the  town  of  Algiers,  containing  a  population  of 
over  two  thousand  inhabitants,  is  situated,  is  gradually 
caving  in ;  and  in  the  opinion  of  many,  the  whole  site 
of  this  town  will  in  the  course  of  time  be  washed  away, 
and  every  vestige  of  Algiers  be  obliterated. 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

NEW  ORLEANS. 

OBSERYATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS— LOCATION— COMMERCIAL  STATISTICS 
—DANGER  FROM  INUNDATIONS-EFFECTS  OF  A  HEAVY  SHOWER- 
DAMAGE  TO  CRINOLINE— SURROUNDINGS— LAKE  PONTCHARTRAIN— 
STREETS  AND  PAVEMENTS— CLEANLINESS— HEALTH  OF  THE  CITY- 
STREET  CARS  —  BUILDINGS  —  TILES— GARDENS— SHRUBBERY  —  FRUIT 
TREES— THE  REBELS,  FALSE  PROPHETS— STAGNATION  IN  IMPROVE 
MENTS—GENERAL  BUTLER— HIS  CLAIMS  TO  GRATITUDE— CHARAC 
TER  OF  THE  PEOPLE— A  COSMOPOLITAN  CITY— CHILDREN— «  TYPES 
OF  MANKIND"— INTELLIGENCE— NEWSPAPERS— VARIOUS  LANGUAGES 
—A  SECOND  BABEL— RELIGION— GAIETY  IN  DRESS  — FAST  ARMY 
OFFICERS— A  STRANGE  FACT— AVOCATIONS  AND  HABITS— SUPPLY 
OF  WATER— SLEEPING  ACCOMMODATIONS— MOSQUITOES  AND  THEIR 
PROPENSITIES— PRIDE  OF  THE  PEOPLE— FAST  LIVING— AMUSEMENTS 
—HATRED  OF  NORTHERN  PEOPLE  — EPITHETS  APPLIED  TO  THE 
UNIVERSAL  YANKEE— THE  DUTY  OF  THE  NORTH— NEED  OF  EDU 
CATION—REBELS  STILL— HOW  BARBARISM  MAY  BE  PREVENTED 
AND  THE  PEOPLE  CONVERTED  FROM  TREASON  TO  LOYALTY. 

HAVING  become  a  resident  for  the  time  being  of  the 
Crescent  City,  so  called  because  of  its  half  moon  forma 
tion  around  a  sweep  of  the  mighty  river,  on  the  west 
bank  of  which  it  stands,  I  propose  to  give  some  facts 
and  features  of  its  character,  which  to  a  stranger  may 
prove  of  passing  interest.  The  observations  I  have  been 

124 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       125 

Danger  from  inundations.  Effects  of  a  shower. 

enabled  to  make,  by  keeping  my  eyes  and  ears  open,  are 
noted  at  lergth,  not  for  the  purpose  of  contributing  to 
history,  but  as  a  memorial  of  the  period,  which,  in  the 
performance  of  my  duty,  I  passed  within  its  limits. 

The  traveler  from  New  York  will  have  to  pass  over 
sixteen  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  from  Washington 
eighteen  hundred  before  reaching  this  point.  The  first 
impression  made  upon  the  mind  of  a  stranger  is  one  of 
wonder  that  such  a  large  city  should  have  been  built 
where  there  seems  to  be  constant  d'anger  of  inundation. 
The  surface  of  the  ground  is  so  low  in  places  back  from 
the  levee,  that  but  for  this  embankment,  the  river,  the 
surface  of  which  is  higher  than  the  ground,  would  sweep 
it  away.  Indeed  it  has  sometimes  occurred,  that  a  break 
in  the  levee  has  threatened  terrible  disaster,  and  over 
flowed  a  considerable  portion  of  the  city. 

A  heavy  fall  of  rain  at  times  fills  the  place  with  water, 
and  drives  pedestrians  off  the  streets ;  wooden  bridges 
are  swept  away,  and  both  men  and  horses,  unaware  of 
the  traps  before  them,  tumble  into  the  culverts  and  chan 
nels  left  thus  uncovered.  Sometimes  legs  are  broken, 
and  other  damages  received,  from  attempting  to  navigate 
the  streets  in  the  low  and  level  portions  of  the  city.  A 
gentleman  or  lady  may  go  out  dressed  up  in  the  neatest 
attire,  and  if  caught  in  a  sudden  shower,  have  to  wade 
homeward  in  the  most  pitiable  plight,  with  their  clean 
linen,  or  crinoline  dismantled  and  bedraggled  beyond  all 
comparison.  If  there  is  an  unusual  quantity  of  rain,  all 
travel  must  be  suspended  for  a  time,  and  boats  become 
11* 


126  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Historical  sketch.  First  settlement, 

more  convenient  as  a  means  of  transit,  than  a  hack  or 
cab.  This  surplus  of  water,  however,  slowly  disappears 
by  a  very  good  system  of  drainage,  which  only  requires 
time,  from  the  level  nature  of  the  land,  to  perform  its 
important  office. 

I  have  sometimes  been  compelled  to  employ  a  vehicle 
to  convey  me  from  my  boarcling-house  a  few  squares, 
otherwise  I  should  have  had  to  wade  that  distance,  the 
water  being  from  one  to  three  feet  deep. 

New  Orleans  has  a  very  interesting  history,  the  facts 
of  which,  to  be  known,  must  appear  surprising.  Its 
first  settlement  was  made  by  Bieunville,  in  the  year  1718. 
At  the  time  it  passed  from  the  possession  of  France  to 
that  of  Spain  in  1743,  it  contained  a  population  of  only 
a  little  over  three  thousand  inhabitants.  Eighty  years 
then  elapsed  before  it  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  in 
1803,  at  which  time  its  population  was  only  about  eight 
thousand.  But  from  the  date  of  its  cession  to  the  United 
States,  the  city  began  to  grow.  Its  dimensions  became 
enlarged,  and  a  rapid  increase  is  noticed  in  its  popula 
tion.  Now,  after  a  little  more  than  half  a  century  from 
that  time,  we  find  it  embracing  a  population  of  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  covering  an  area  six  miles 
long  and  two  wide,  and  adorned  with  such  evidence  of 
art  and  taste,  as  to  equal  almost  any  other  city  in  the 
union. 

This  result,  as  may  be  seen,  is  owing  to  social  and 
commercial  intercourse  with  other  cities  in  every  part  of 
our  great  republic. 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  127 

Commercial  growth.  Cotton  trade. 

This  city  not  only  made  great  progress  in  population, 
but  situated  as  it  is,  near  the  outlet  of  the  Mississippi,  it 
received  at  its  levees  nearly  all  the  products  of  the  great 
and  growing  West.  Its  wealth,  therefore,  advanced  pro- 
portionably,  with  its  population  and  its  commerce. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  New  Orleans  was  in 
1794,  and  was  called  the  "Moniteur."  In  1860  there 
were  published  in  this  city,  ten  daily  newspapers,  besides 
several  periodicals  of  a  literary  and  commercial  charac 
ter. 

Among  the  oldest  of  public  buildings,  is  the  "Charity 
Hospital,"  founded  in  1786.  Probably  the  oldest  edifice 
of  any  note  in  the  city,  is  a  building  erected  for  the  use 
of  the  Ursuline  nuns,  about  the  year  1730,  and  known 
as  the  "  Ursuline  Convent." 

It  is  very  interesting  to  examine  the  increase  of  ex 
ports  from  *about  the  date  of  cession  to  the  United  States 
in  1803.  The  exports  then  amounted  to  about  three 
million  and  a  half  of  dollars.  In  1860,  the  exports 
amounted  to  one  hundred  and  eight  million  of  dollars ! 
In  1841,  the  southern  and  western  produce,  received  in 
the  city,  amounted  to  about  eighty-two  millions  of  dol 
lars.  In  1860,  they  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  millions ! 

The  cotton  crop  received  in  New  Orleans  in  1836  was 
four  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand  and  forty-three 
bales.  In  1860,  the  number  was  increased  to  two  millions 
two  hundred  and  fifty-five  thousand  four  hundred  and 


128  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

Banking  system.  Blight  of  secession. 

fifty- eight  bales.  This  was  one  half  of  all  the  crop 
raised  in  the  entire  cotton  states. 

Such,  has  been  the  wonderful  increase  of  the  city  of 
New  Orleans,  in  population  and  wealth,  since  the  desti 
nies  of  Louisiana  were  united  with  the  other  states  of 
the  great  western  republic. 

And  it  will  be  observed,  that  in  previous  years,  with 
all  her  advantages,  she  remained  for  half  a  century 
nearly  stationary. 

The  banking  system  of  this  city,  before  the  war,  was 
regarded  as  the  safest  and  best  in  the  Union.  There 
were  eleven  Banks,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  about 
eighteen  millions  of  dollars.  Thus  in  every  element,  of 
prosperity,  it  will  be  seen,  that  it  was  at  its  very  highest 
and  most  flourishing  condition,  when  the  demon  of  seces 
sion  invaded  and  entered  the  heart  of  the  people. 

The  changes  wrought  during  the  past  ftfur  years  are 
fearful  to  note.  From  being  the  largest  cotton  market 
in  the  world,  and  counting  her  receipts  by  millions  of 
bales,  she  now  considers  herself  fortunate  if  she  can  re 
ceive  a  few  thousand. 

Her  commerce  has  also  fallen  off  fearfully.  In  1860, 
two  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  clearances 
were  issued  from  the  custom  house,  covering  a  tonnage 
of  one  million  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  thousand 
five  hundred  and  twenty-six  tons. 

In  fact,  the  city  of  New  Orleans  was  the  second  in 
the  United  States,  in  the  amount  and  value  of  her  ex- 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  129 

Means  of  success.  Lake  Pontchartrain. 

ports,  and  no  city  in  the  world  counted  at  its  wharves  so 
large  a  number  of  steam-boats. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  this  great  prosperity,  the  fana 
tical  citizens  seceded  from  the  Union  through  whose  in 
fluence  and  trade  she  had  been  brought  out  of  her  obscu 
rity  and  insignificance,  and  had  become  influential  and 
respected  among  the  "other  great  cities  of  this  glorious 
country.  But  enterprise  and  capital  are  again  finding 
their  way  in  this  direction,  and  investments  are  being 
made,  which  will  have  a  tendency  to  revive  the  present 
prostrate  condition  of  things.  In  my  judgment,  if  the 
merchants  are  allowed  to  resume  and  pursue  commerce 
in  its  legitimate  channels,  the  speedy  resuscitation  of  the 
business  of  the  city  cannot  be  a  matter  of  doubt  for  one 
moment.  Under  the  present  regulations  business  is 
much  more  active  than  it  was,  and  is  rapidly  increasing. 
That  it  will  continue  to  increase  and  again  in  the  provi 
dence  of  God  under  Yankee  brain,  energy,  and  industry, 
reach  a  position  that  shall  challenge  the  wonder  and 
admiration  of  the  world,  and  even  surpass  her  former 
greatness  and  glory,  I  have  no  hesitation  to  predict. 

The  overthrow  of  slavery,  and  the  abominable  aristo 
cracy  founded  on  this  system,  will  enlarge  and  encourage 
general  industry  and  popular  enterprise. 

LAKE  PONTCHAMTRAIN 

gives  to  the  city  one  of  its  chief  attractions.  This  is  a 
beautiful  sheet  of  water  located  at  a  distance  of  six  miles 
in  a  westerly  direction  from  the  city.  The  lake  has  been, 


130  LIFE   IN   THE   AKMY. 

Swamps  and  cotton-fields.  Barren  surroundings. 

and  still  is  a  great  place  of  public  resort,  the  steam  cars 
making  several  trips  a  day  to  and  from  its  shores.  There 
are  also  two  splendid  shell  roads  extending  from  the  city 
to  the  lake,  which  afford  a  beautiful  means  of  travel ; 
these  roads  being  very  smooth  and  level,  they  are  used 
by  large  numbers  of  the  citizens  to  drive  out  of  an  even 
ing  for  health  and  pleasure,  and  occasionally  to  try  the 
speed  of  their  fast  horses. 

There  are  also  two  canals,  or  basins,  extending  from 
the  river  to  the  lake,  through  which  a  considerable 
amount  of  trade  is  carried  on.  It  is  surprising  to  a 
stranger  to  find  large  swamps,  and  dense  tracts  of  wood 
land  located  so  near  the  limits  of  a  large  city  like  this. 
If  the  swamps  were  cleared  up  and  properly  drained, 
and  the  woods  cut  down,  the  health  and  comfort  of  the 
inhabitants,  in  my  judgment  would  be  greatly  improved. 
Fresh  air  is  a  great  desideratum  in  this  warm  climate. 

We  look  in  vain  for  the  beautiful  suburban  residences 
and  country  seats,  which  are  found  in  the  vicinity  of  all 
northern  cities,  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Orleans.  Im 
provements  are  quite  meagre,  and  there  is  but  little  to  be 
seen  on  the  outskirts  that  would  attract  the  eye,  or  arrest 
the  attention,  except  the  immense  fields  of  cotton  and  sugar 
cane,  in  all  the  richness  and  redundancy  of  their  beautiful 
appearance.  The  orange-tree,  the  fig,  lemon,  banana,  and 
pomegranate,  abound  every  where  around  us,  and  present  a 
very  pleasant  feature  of  the  scenery.  There  is  also  a  great  va 
riety  of  other  species  of  fruit  growing  in  and  around  the  city. 

The  climate  I  found  to  be  much  more  salubrious  and 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       131 

Climate.  Streets  and  pavements. 

less  changeable  than  I  had  anticipated  j  for  instance,  I 
was  frequently  told  in  the  North  by  those  who  professed 
to  know,  that  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  in  the 
summer  season,  the  heat  would  be  almost  suffocating, 
and  in  the  evening  an  overcoat  would  be  necessary  for 
comfort.  These  conjectures  and  representations  are  quite 
incorrect.  I  may  state  here,  that  during  the  entire  sum 
mer  I  spent  here,  I  never  needed  an  overcoat  in  the 
evening,  but  always  found  the  temperature  warm  and 
pleasant.  Of  course  it  is  warmer  here  than  in  the  North, 
but  those  who  imagine  the  heat  to  be  so  intense  as  to 
nearly  burn  them  up  alive,  may  be  relieved  by  the 
assurance  that  there  is  a  fresh  and  pleasant  breeze  which 
comes  from  the  gulf,  and  greatly  moderates  the  torrid 
heat  of  the  summer  season. 


STREETS  AND  PAVEMENTS. 


New  Orleans  can  boast  of  having  some  of  the  most 
substantial  flag-stone  pavements,  as  well  as  some  of  the 
best  paved  streets  to  be  found  on  this  continent.  They 
are,  moreover,  kept  very  clean,  being  swept  and  washed 
every  twenty-four  hours,  so  that  filth  and  garbage  is  not 
allowed  to  accumulate  anywhere.  It  is  owing  to  this 
fact  that  the  city  is,  unquestionably,  at  this  time,  the 
healthiest  in  the  United  States.  Although  this  is  the 
warmest  (August,  1864),  and  considered  the  most  un 
healthy  season  of  the  year,  yet  the  mortality  report  of 
the  past  week  shows  only  one  hundred  and  twenty-one 
deaths  from  all  causes. 


132  LIFE   IN  ^THE  ARMY. 

Street  railroads.  Buildings. 

Several  of  the  streets  are  very  broad,  with  a  beautiful 
lawn  twenty-five  feet  in  width  in  the  centre.  This  lawn 
is  covered  with  grass,  with  two  rows  of  splendid  shade 
trees,  between  which  the  track  is  laid  for  the  street  cars, 
with  a  well-paved  carriage-way,  about  twenty  feet  wide 
on  each  side. 

The  street  cars  run  regularly  on  all  the  principal 
thoroughfares  every  few  minutes.  The  city  railways 
differ  from  those  in  our  Northern,  cities  in  some  pecu 
liarities.  The  cars  are  drawn  by  mules  which  usually 
proceed  on  a  gallop.  They  have  no  conductors  on  some 
of  the  lines,  the  companies  relying  on  the  honesty  of  pas 
sengers,  who  are  expected  to  deposit  their  exact  fare  in  a 
box  provided  for  that  purpose.  The  driver  is  allowed  to 
change  your  money,  but  in  no  case  is  he  permitted  to 
deposit  it.  This  arrangement  appears  to  me,  to  work 
well,  as  every  person  is  under  the  eye  of  his  fellow-pas 
sengers,  and  also  that  of  the  driver,  until  he  forks  over 
his  picayune. 

* 

BUILDINGS. 

There  are  quite  a  large  number  of  fine  granite  build 
ings  in  the  city,  but  of  dwellings,  the  majority  are  frame 
structures,  one  or  one  and  a-half  stories  in  height.  The 
old-fashioned  Spanish  style  predominates  largely  in  these 
buildings,  and  they  are  mostly  covered  with  "tiles." 
The  sight  of  them  brought  vividly  to  my  recollection  the 
bold  and  emphatic  declaration  of  Martin  Luther,  the 
great  reformer,  which  has  aided  to  give  immortality  to 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.  133 

Gardens  and  flowers.  No  improvements. 

his  name.  Many  of  the  private  residences  of  the  city 
are  set  back  from  the  street,  with  a  large  yard  in  front 
filled  with  charming  flowers  and  refreshing  shade  trees. 
Some  of  these  private  residences  occupy  an  entire  square, 
and  give  a  beautiful  variety  with  their  luxuriant  gardens, 
and  embowered  surroundings,  resembling  West  Phila 
delphia  for  splendour  and  taste. 

IMPR  O  YEMENIS. 

It  could  hardly  be  supposed  that  improvements  would 
progress  anywhere  during  the  period  in  which  our  country 
was  engaged  in  a  fierce  struggle  for  national  life.  Here 
there  is  utter  stagnation  in  this  department,  and  the  con 
trast  is  indeed  remarkable  when  we  look  at  the  facts  and 
figures  relating  to  this  subject  in  Philadelphia  alone.  In 
1863,  there  were  three  thousand  five  hundred  substantial 
brick  buildings  erected  there,  and  this  in  the  midst  of 
war's  alarms  and  the  constant  call  for  me"n  to  recruit  the 
wasted  ranks  of  our  armies.  The  rebels  of  the  South 
have  proved  themselves  false  prophets  in  everything,  and 
in  no  particular  more  signally  than  in  this :  that  business 
would  be  entirely  suspended,  and  that  grass  would  grow 
in  the  streets  of  jour  principal  northern  cities  in  conse 
quence  of  the  war.  On  themselves,  by  their  wicked  re 
bellion,  these  predictions  have  been  turned  with  a  ven 
geance,  and  it  is  true  of  many  a  town,  all  over  the  South, 
that  grass  actually  is  growing  on  their  paved  streets  and 
places  of  former  prosperity  in  business. 

But  while  industry  has  been  crippled,  business  broken 
12 


134  LIFE  IN   THE  ARMY. 

Revival  of  trade.  Major-General  Butler. 

up,  and  agricultural  improvements  almost  entirely  sus 
pended  in  this  city  and  vicinity  sin"ce  the  outbreaking  of 
the  slaveholders7  rebellion,  we  discover  some  indications 
of  a  revival.  One  most  important  matter  is  receiving 
needed  attention ;  that  is,  jhe  drainage  of  the  swamps, 
and  other  subjects,  very  intimately  connected  with  the 
general  health  and  prosperity  of  the  people. 

Whatever  may  be  said  or  thought  by  these  bitter  foes 
of  the  North  in  regard  to  Major  General  Butler,  his 
name  will  live  and  be  encircled  with  renown  to  later 
generations,  for  the  sanitary  measures  and  general  im 
provements  he  suggested  and  inaugurated  here.  He  did 
more  for  New  Orleans  than  any  man  living.  Our  pres 
ent  exemption  from  the  usual  epidemics  of  the  season, 
is  owing  in  a  great  measure  to  his  system  of  drainage — 
street  cleaning,  and  attention  to  the  poor. 

About  forty-five  thousand  of  the  hungry  and  suffering 
were  fed  by  him ;  the  lazy  and  idle  were  compelled  to 
bestir  themselves,  and  cleanliness  became  the  law  of  life 
under  his  reign.  No  man  has  been  more  bitterly  ma 
ligned,  North  and  South,  than  he;  yet  the  day  may 
come  when  a  monument  will  be  erected  to  his  worth 
even  here,  and  the  country  will  remember  his  services 
with  as  much  pride  and  vastly  more  gratitude  than  those 
of  many  who  cut  a  higher  figure  and  made  more  noise 
during  their  day  of  brief  authority. 

All  Union  men  in  New  Orleans  concur  in  saying  Gen 
eral  Butler  was  "  the  right  man  in  the  right  place." 


OBSERVATIONS   IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  135 

The  rising  generation.  Foreign  element. 

THE  PEOPLE. 

In  general  appearance  the  people  of  New  Orleans 
differ  from  those  of  northern  cities  in  many  particular 
traits  and  shades  of  character.  Here  you  may  meet  with 
all  conceivable  sizes,  shapes,  ages,  complexions,  and 
nationalities.  The  author  of  the  "Types  of  Mankind" 
would  find  here  a  wide  field  of  investigation,  in  pursuit 
of  his  favorite  study,  and  abundant  material  for  a  few 
more  volumes  treating  on  the  endless  varieties  of  the 
genus  homo. 

The  population  seem  to  be  partial  to  out-door  life,  as 
at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  evening  you  may  encounter 
crowds  on  every  street.  A  more  prolific  place  for  chil 
dren  it  would  be  hard  to  find.  Thousands  upon  thou 
sands  of  them  swarm  in  the  various  thoroughfares,  and 
are  seen  on  door-steps,  side-walks,  and  in  every  possible 
nook  and  corner.  The  blending  of  races  and  colors 
apparent,  suggest  curious,  if  not  sad  reflections,  and  the 
palpable  fact  that  multitudes  of  them  are  illegitimate, 
and 'consequently  poor,  friendless,  and  homeless,  excites 
indescribable  pity,  when  we  remember  the  hopeless  pov 
erty  and  abandonment  to  which  they  are  heirs. 

The,  cosmopolitan  character  of  the  city  suggests  a 
reason  for  this  order  of  things.  The  bringing  into  such 
close  proximity  so  many  nationalities,  has  produced  a 
greater  individuality  and  intensity  of  character  here  than 
elsewhere.  Good  and  bad  qualities  are  developed  in  a 
more  positive  and  earnest  manner  than  would  be  likely 


136  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

French  manners.  Languages. 

where  some  preponderating  influences  might  mould  and 
control  the  mass. 

It  is  supposed  that  one  half  the  population  of  the  city 
are  foreigners.  A  large  proportion  of  their  descendants 
remain  so,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  and  their  ideas 
of  religion  and  law  are  as  marked  and  strange  as  though 
they  had  been  born  abroad. 

It  is  true  that  a  great  many  of  the  people  are  refined 
and  intelligent.  The  habits  and  manners  of  this  class 
are  more  nearly  allied  to  the  French  standard  than  any 
other.  More  than  one  third  of  the  whole  population  are 
either  French,  or  of  French  descent,  which  accounts  for 
that  style  and  suavity  among  them  peculiar  to  the. people 
of  France. 

In  their  bearing  toward  strangers  they  are  for  a  time 
distant  and  reserved,  but  invariably  polite  and  kind. 
As  acquaintance  ripens  they  become  more  free  and  famil 
iar,  and  are  excessively  courteous  at  all  times  to  ladies. 

THEIR  LANGUAGES. 

I  have  concluded  that  the  people  of  this  city  speak 
more  languages,  jargons,  and  gibberish,  than  the  cele 
brated  Elihu  Burritt  could  ever  hope  to  master.  Ap 
parently  there  is  as  great  a  confusion  of  tongues  as  existed 
among  the  bricklayers  at  the  tower  of  Babel !  A  con 
tinued  hum  of  voices,  from  male  and  female,  comes  upon 
your  ears,  in  which  are  mingled  the  low  guttural  sound 
of  "mine  fader  land,"  the  musical  ring  of  the  Spanish, 
the  sharp  intonations  of  the  French,  with  the  mellifluous 


(  OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       137 

Reasons  for  an  unknown  tongue.  Tired  of  jargon. 

roll  of  the  Italian,  and  occasionally  a  word  of  honest, 
hearty  Anglo-Saxon,  or  a  "bit  of  the  brogue,"  to  remind 
you  that  you  are  not  in  Naples,  but  in  New  Orleans,  an 
American  city. 

I  would  suppose  that  at  least  two  thirds  of  the  people 
speak  French,  and  apparently  nine  tenths  use  some 
other  than  the  English.  The  reason  for  this  excess 
of  foreign  dialects  in  the  street  is,  as  I  have  been  in 
formed,  that  many  of  the  citizens  have  an  understanding 
among  themselves  not  to  speak  English  on  the  street,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  Yankees  from  understanding  their 
conversation  when  they  wish  to  exchange  views  on  the 
state  of  the  country. 

It  is  a  strange  fact,  that  quite  a  number  of  them  can 
not  speak  the  English  language.  Another  singular  fact 
is,  that  several  of  the  newspapers  of  the  city  are  pub 
lished  one-half  in  English,  and  the  other  half  in  French. 
It  requires  some  energy  and  self-denial  in  a  northern 
man  to  bring  himself  to  remain  here  long  at  a  time,  on 
account  of  the  wide  dissimilarity  existing  between  his 
views  and  tastes,  and  those  with  whom  he  is  brought  in 
daily  contact.  I  have  sometimes  heard  northerners  play 
fully  remark,  that  they  were  sick  of  this  interminable 
jargon,  and  wanted  to  return  to  America!  The  man 
ners  and  customs  of  the  majority  of  people  here  are  not 
American.  They  seem  to  take  a  pride  in  maintaining 
the  usages,  and  following  the  customs  of  Europe. 
12* 


138  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Religion.  Dress  and  fashion. 

RELIGION. 

The  Roman  Catholic  religion  has  the  .ascendancy  in 
wealth  and  numbers.  The  following  is  a  correct  list,  so 
far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  of  the  different  Pro 
testant  Churches  within  the  limits  of  the  city.  Seven 
Presbyterian;  seven  Methodist  Episcopal;  three  German 
Methodist ;  three  Baptist ;  four  Episcopalian ;  and  one 
Unitarian.  These  churches  had  quite  a  large  member 
ship  before  the  war ;  but  as  many  of  the  members,  and 
ministers  too,  went  into  the  rebel  army,  I  cannot  give  a 
correct  list  of  their  numbers. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches  at  the  time  of 
this  writing  are  all  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  J.  P. 
Newman,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  and  the  Doctor  manages 
to  have  all  the  pulpits  filled  by  loyal  ministers  of  the 
gospel  every  Sabbath.  The  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  has  lately  been  reorganized  under  the  imme 
diate  control  of  the  different  Christian  denominations, 
and  promises  to  become  an  instrumentality  of  good  in 
the  community. 

The  people  of  the  city  are  considered  as  a  general 
thing  to  be  fond  of  gaiety,  and  are  great  votaries  of 
fashion.  The  ladies  are  up  with  the  times  in  all  the 
new  improvements  in  Paris  millinery  and  stylish  dress. 
Articles  of  foreign  production  always  receive  the  prefer 
ence,  and  home  manufactures  are  discarded  as  unsuited 
to  their  wants. 


OBSERVATIONS   IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  139 

Staff  officers.  Avocations. 

Among  those  who  dress  very  gay  at  present,  I  must 
include  a  number  of  our  army  officers,  particularly  the 
staff  officers,  who  may  have  little  else  to  do  than  adorn 
their  persons  with  all  the  gew-gaws  and  trappings,  which 
are  thought  necessary  to  set  off  a  gentleman.  And  it  is 
a  noticeable  fact  here,  as  well  as  at  other  places  occupied 
by  our  soldiers,  that  the  most  fashionable  and  showy, 
those  who  drive  the  finest  team,  and  "go  it,"  with  the 
most  reckless  disregard  to  expense,  belong  to  the  Quar 
termaster's  Department ! 

The  avocations  of  the  people  are  as  varied  as  their 
character  and  habits  are  diverse.  In  this  respect  also 
you  are  reminded  of  European  and  Asiatic  cities.  The 
shoemaker  or  cobbler  takes  his  bench  out  into  the  open 
air,  and  plies  his  craft  under  the  eye  of  the  multitude. 
Here  are  eating  booths ;  yonder,  fruit  stalls ;  and  farther 
on,  you  come  in  contact  with  candy  shops,  pea-nut 
stands,  cake  wagons,  and  boot-blacking  establishments. 

The  picayune  is  the  smallest  amount  of  money  in  use 
here,  and  you  cannot  purchase  a  row  of  pins  or  a  needle 
without  paying  the  five  cents.  The  cent  piece  so  com 
mon  in  all  retail  business  in  the  north  is  seldom  seen 
"  on  change "  in  this  city. 

The  meals  are  usually  taken — in  the  morning  from 
seven  to  nine,  dinner  from  two  to  five,  P.  M.,  and  tea 
from  seven  to  nine,  in  the  evening. 

Rain-water,  when  on  hand,  is  generally  used  for  drink 
ing  and  cooking  purposes.  It  is  secured  in  large  cisterns, 
which  form  a  necessary  appendage  to  every  dwelling. 


140  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Sleeping  accommodations.  Mosquitoes. 

The  nature  of  the  soil  precludes  the  possibility  of  obtain 
ing  good  water  from  wells ;  and  during  a  continued  dry 
spell  the  supply  in  the  cisterns  becomes  very  offensive, 
unless  improved  by  the  addition  of  ice.  Ice,  however, 
is  a  luxury  which  because  of  its  cost,  the  poor  cannot 
afford  to  enjoy.  It  has  been  sold  at  ten  cents  a  pound 
during  the  warm  season. 

The  accommodations  for  sleeping  are  somewhat  peculiar, 
and  in  my  judgment  very  superior.  The  beds,  and  bed 
steads,  are  the  best  I  have  ever  seen.  An  admirable 
contrivance  is  attached  to  each,  by  which  musquito  bars 
are  used,  and  afford  the  sleeper  a  sure  defence  against 
attack  during  the  night-watches.  If  ever  poor  plagued 
humanity  needed  fortifications  against  these  guerrillas,  it 
is  in  New  Orleans ;  for  a  more  rampant,  blood-thirsty, 
and  persevering  foe,  never  laid  siege  to  a  citadel,  or 
fought  harder  for  spoils  than  they  do.  I  think  they  bite 
the  severest,  when  they  do  get  a  chance,  and  are  the  big 
gest,  wickedest,  and  most  noisy  fellows  I  ever  encoun 
tered. 

For  nine  months  of  the  year  they  wage  war,  and  by 
all  the  modern  tactics  of  corps,  division,  brigade  and 
battalion  drill,  by  skirmishing  and  flank  movements 
they  environ  you,  and  like  the  chivalry  of  their  native 
south,  seem  determined  to  conquer  their  rights,  or  die  in 
the  last  ditch. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  luxury  of  lying  down  inside 
your  "  bars"  of  a  midsummer  night,  and  feeling  secure 
from  their  voracious  bills,  as  they  hum  around  your 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       141 

Southern  arrogance.-  Conquered  but  not  converted. 

room,  and  try  to  "  come  it,"  but  find  an  abatis  in  their 
way,  which  effectually  checks  their  advance,  and  allows 
you  to  fall  gently  asleep  amidst  the  music  of  their 
wrath. 

The  arrogance  so  notorious  in  southern  society,  puts  on 
its  loftiest  airs  in  this  city.  It  is  amusing  to  witness 
these  scions  of  an  imaginary  nobility  strut  about  as  if 
they  were  lords  of  creation,  and  look  down  with  super 
cilious  disdain  on  northern  people  as  beneath  their  notice. 
It  chafes  them  very  much  to  be  confronted  by  a  common 
sense  Yankee,  who  returns  their  contempt  with  interest, 
and  a  little  mixture  of  pity  in  it,  and  takes  occasion  to 
remind  them  that  their  foolish  "  airs"  are  all  bosh,  that 
their  glory  has  departed,  and  that  the  saddest  day  they 
ever  saw,  was  the  day  they  went  into  ecstacies  over  .the 
firing  on  our  time-honored  flag,  which  they  tried  to 
dishonor  and  bring  to  the  dust,  but  which  now  and  ever 
shall  float  proudly  over  their  heads,  the  symbol  of 
authority  and  power  to  which  they  must  bow  in  obe 
dience,  although  in  their  hearts  they  continue  to  curse  it, 
and  the  benign  government  it  represents  on  land  and  sea. 

Many  of  the  people  here  live  fast,  that  is,  beyond 
their  means,  and  are  dissipated  in  their  habits.  Living, 
as  a  large  number  of  them  did  heretofore,  on  the  sweat 
and  toil  of  the  poor  negro,  and  now  disinclined  to  work 
or  apply  themselves  to  business,  these  drones  of  society 
must  seek  some  other  latitude,  and  leave  the  field  to 
popular  enterprise  and  honorable  labor. 

All  places  of  public  amusement  are  patronized  very 


142  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Public  amusements.  Hatred  to  Yankees. 

liberally.  Wherever  cheap  amusement  is  to  be  had,  you 
may  see  a  moving  mass  of  human  beings  eager  for  it, 
pressing  into  the  theatres  and  beer  gardens,  and  follow 
ing  street  organs  and  itinerant  fiddlers,  apparently  carried 
away  by  the  vapid  and  supernatural  trifles  which  waste 
valuable  time,  and  cost  a  great  deal  of  money. 


SPIRIT  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 


It  is  a  fact  that  the  great  majority  of  men,  and  women, 
too,  in  this  city,  and  I  suppose  in  all  parts  of  the  South, 
still  hate  and  despise  Northern  people.  Generations 
have  been  succeeded  by  generations,  who  seem  to  have 
been  born  and  reared  up  with  this  bitterness  predomi 
nant  in  their  nature.  Although  compelled  to  depend  on 
the  great  enterprising  North  for  many  of  the  essentials 
of  life,  yet  they  take  delight  in  sneering  at  everybody 
and  everything  of  Yankee  origin,  as  though  they  were 
the  benefactors  and  owners  of  the  whole  domain.  I  have 
traveled  through  five  different  Southern  States,  and  spent 
six  years  of  rny  life  in  slave  territory,  and  have  been 
irresistibly  led  to  the  conclusion  that  a  degree  of  estrange 
ment  and  repugnance,  and  deep-seated  hatred  prevails 
on  their  part,  which  will  require  time  and  determined 
treatment  to  eradicate.  For  years  before  the  war  their 
insults  were  carried  even  to  the  National  Congress,  and 
vented  everywhere,  and  in  every  possible  form  against 
us.  During  the  war  this  spirit  has  assumed  the  shape 
of  downright  ferocity,  as  may  be  remembered  at  the  first 
Bull  Run  Battle,  at  Lawrence,  Kansas,  and  at  Fort  Pil- 


OBSERVATIONS   IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  143 

Contemptuous  epithets.  Education  needed. 

low,  at  which  places  they  murdered  many  of  our  citizens 
and  soldiers  in  cold  blood. 

Their  treatment  of,  and  bearing  toward  our  prisoners, 
also  furnishes  evidence  that  cries  out  against  their  hu 
manity,  honor,  and  religion,  and  must  live  a  stinging 
and  lasting  reproach  and  lie  to  their  boasted  chivalry. 

I  do  not  believe  they  are  changed  one  whit  for  the 
better,  or  that  kindness  and  leniency  will  cure  them  or 
bring  them  to  a  better  mind. 

Their  show  of  allegiance  to  the  government,  I  believe, 
to  be  all  a  sham,  and  that  they,  or  any  considerable  por 
tion  of  them,  are  converted  from  treason  to  patriotism, 
is  merely  moonshine. 

Although  soundly  thrashed,  they  have  the  unblushing 
assurance  to  keep  alive  their  favorite  epithets  applied  to 
all  Northern  people  of  "mudsills,  loafers,  petty  jobbers, 
miscreants,"  and  "  the  scum  of  creation !" 

Men  of  the  great  north  and  west,  show  these  deluded 
mortals  that  you  are  not  their  inferiors,  as  they  imagine! 
Educate  them  to  broader  views,  and  make  the  whole 
south,  by  your  brain  and  enterprise,  what  it  ought  to  be, 
in  common  with  the  undivided  Union,  to  which  you 
have  bound  it  as  with  hooks  of  steel,  "  the  land  of  the 
free"  and  the  home  of  civil  and  religious  liberty !  I  am 
firmly  persuaded  that  the  so-called  Confederacy,  even 
had  it  gaineol  independence  and  general  recognition,  would 
have  been  short-lived,  poverty-stricken,  and  as  effete  and 
useless  as  are  now  many  of  the  miserable  States  of  South 
America,  where  intelligence  is  beclouded,  liberty  dead, 


144  UFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Yankee  enterprise.  Hope  dawning. 

the  people  priest-ridden,  and  where  barbarism  is  coming 
slowly  and  surely  back  again. 

As  an  integral  part  of  the  "Universal  Yankee  Na 
tion,"  there  is  a  dawning  of  hope  for  the  cities  and  people 
of  the  late  rebellious  States.  Let  the  light  shine  and 
spread  until  darkness  and  hate  shall  be  buried  forever, 
and  this  motto  so  dear  to  our  God-directed  nation  be 
written  everywhere,  not  only  on  our  banners,  but  on  all 
hearts :  "  Virtue,  liberty,  and  independence." 


OBSEKVATIONS   IN   NEW   OKLEANS.  145 


The  Clay  monument.  Rebuke  of  treason. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

THE  CLAY  MONUMENT— IMMORTAL  WORDS— REBUKE  TO  TREASON— THE 
JACKSON  STATUE—"  THE  UNION  MUST  AND  SHALL  BE  PRESERVED"— 
PUBLIC  SQUARES  AND  CIRCLES— CUSTOM  HOUSE— CITY  HALL— STATE 
CONVENTION— EMANCIPATION— ST.  CHARLES  HOTEL. 

THE  Clay  Monument  is  located  in  the  centre  of  Canal 
St.,  near  St.  Charles.  This  is  an  eligible  position,  and 
reminds  one,  by  its  surroundings,  of  the  Merchants'  Ex 
change  in  Philadelphia.  The  street  cars  start  from  this 
poiYit  every  few  minutes  for  different  parts  of  the  city. 
The  hacks  and .  cabs  congregate  here  also  for  the  conve 
nience  of  the  public. 

This  beautiful  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  dis 
tinguished  statesman  who,  for  sage  counsel  and  far-seeing 
philanthropy,  stood  peerless  in  his  day  among  the  re 
nowned  men  of  the  nation,  reflects  the  greatest  credit  on 
the  body  who  projected  and  the  artist  who  executed  it. 

The  imposing  statue  represents  Clay  in  a  standing 
posture,  as  if  delivering  one  of  his  masterly  arguments 
or  orations.  The  front  overlooks  the  father  of  waters, 
which  rolls  on  its  irresistible  tide  to  the  ocean,  and  al 
though  mute  in  marble  stillness,  yet  there  seems  a  voice 

13 


146  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Words  for  the  times.  Jackson  monument. 

in  it  which  utters  a  stern  rebuke  to  treason  and  rebel 
lion. 

Major  General  Butler  caused  the  following  extract 
from  one  of  his  great  speeches  on  the  slavery  question 
to  be  chiseled  in  legible  characters  on  the  front  base  of 
the  pedestal :  * 

"IF  I  COULD  BE  INSTRUMENTAL  IN  ERADICATING 
THIS  DEEP  STAIN,  SLAVERY,  FROM  THE  CHARACTER  OF 
OUR  COUNTRY,  I  WOULD  NOT  EXCHANGE  THE  PROUD 
SATISFACTION  WHICH  T  SHOULD  ENJOY,  FOR  THE  HONOR 
OF  ALL  THE  TRIUMPHS  EVER  DECREED  TO  THE  MOST 
SUCCESSFUL  CONQUEROR." 

Noble  words !  which  possess  a  significancy  in  these 
evil  times,  that  never  were  attached  to  them  before,  and 
definitely  assigns  to  their  author  a  high  place  among  the 
immortal  band  whose  hearts  beat  strong  and  high*for 
universal  freedom. 

The  Jackson  Monument  forms  the  main  attraction  of 
the  square  which  bears  its  name.  It  is  located  on  the 
levee,  in  the  French  portion  of  the  city.  It  is  one  of 
Mills'  equestrian  statues  of  the  hero  of  New  Orleans,  and 
from  its  symmetry  and  beauty,  challenges  the  admiration 
of  all  who  behold  it.  General  Butler,  in  his  efforts  to 
right  up  things  in  his  department,  quickly  discovered 
something  wanting,  in  the  completeness  of  this  monu 
ment  also.  The  rebels,  among  their  first  acts  of  van 
dalism,  had  effaced  certain  letters  which  were  engraven 


OBSEEVATIONS   IN  NEW   ORLEANS,  147 

Rebel  vandalism.  Old  Hickory. 

on  it,  and  he  forthwith  had  the  obliterated  record  re 
stored.  It  is  the  world-renowned  declaration,  "THE 

UNION  MUST  AND  SHALL  BE  PRESERVED."      Under  this 

as  their  rallying  cry  the  hosts  of  the  north  have  marched 
forth  to  battle.  In  the  spirit  of  these  great  living  words, 
thousands  have  fought  and  nobly  fallen,  and  with  a  firm 
faith  in  them,  as  the  sheet  anchor  of  our  hopes  for  the 
future,  and  a  birth-right  of  happiness  to  unborn  mil 
lions,  "the  last  man  and  the  last  dollar,"  have  been 
pledged  to  suppress  the  rebellion,  and  preserve  our  glo 
rious  Union. 

I  could  not  repress  a  rising  wish,  while  frequently 
gazing  on  the  monument,  and  lingering  over  this  decla 
ration  that  the  man  who  uttered  it,  or  one  with  his  spirit 
and  determination  were  living  to-day,  who  could  com 
prehend  the  depth  of  iniquity  involved  in  rebellion,  and 
with  all  the  resources  placed  at  his  command,  push  on 
the  war  until  not  a  fragment  or  vestige  of  treason  should 
be  left  in  the  land.  O !  for  a  second  Andrew  Jackson, 
with  the  nerve  to  punish  this  stupendous  crime  as  it  de 
serves,  and  deal  with  half-way  men,  and  milk  and  water 
policy,  in  a  manner  that  would  compel  obedience  and 
unconditional  submission  to  the  national  authority. 

FUSLIC  SQUARES. 

New  Orleans  possesses  several  beautiful  public  squares, 
which  as  "  breathing  places,"  or  as  they  are  termed  in 
London,  "  the  lungs  of  the  city,"  are  of  great  value  to 
health  and  recreation. 


148  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Public  squares.  Custom-house. 

La  Fayette  Square  is  located  in  front  of  the  City  Hall, 
on  St.  Charles  Street.  It  is  tastefully  laid  out,  and 
forms  one  of  the  most  popular  places  of  resort. 

Jackson  Square  is  the  handsomest  park  in  the  city. 
Here  the  equestrian  statue  of  the  brave  old  hero  already 
referred  to  stands,  and  the  grounds  are  filled  with  choice 
flowers,  shade  trees,  and  shrubbery  of  every  variety,  and 
trimmed  and  tended  with  skill  and  care. 

Congo  Square  is  located  on  Rampart  street,  and  de 
rives  its  name  from  the  district  in  Africa  which  bears 
that  name.  It  is  devoted  to  the  use  of  the  colored  peo 
ple,  who  hold  their  convocations  and  festivities  there. 

There  are  several  other  attractive  squares  in  different 
parts  of  the  city,  and  a  place  called  "Tivoli  Circle," 
which  adds  to  its  embellishment,  and  contributes  greatly 
to  the  comfort  and  pleasure  of  the  citizens. 

THE  CUSTOM-HOUSE  is  a  noble  specimen  of  architecture, 
and  one  of  the  most  striking  features  of  the  city.  It  is 
built  of  granite,  covers  the  area  of  an  entire  square,  and, 
although  it  cost  the  government  an  enormous  amount 
of  money,  is  still  in  an  unfinished  condition.  The  post- 
office  occupies  a  part  of  this  building. 

THE  CITY  HALL  is  finely  located,  fronting  on  La 
Fayette  Square,  and  appears  to  have  been  erected  at 
great  cost.  In  this  buikling  the  late  convention  held  its 
sessions.  Here  they  formed  the  new  state  constitution 
and  passed  the  act  of  emancipation.  It  has  been  used  as 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  149 

City  Hall  and  St.  Charles. 

the  seat  of  government  since  the  state  capitol  at  Baton 
Rouge  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

THE  ST.  CHARLES  HOTEL  is  famed  throughout  the 
country  for  its  high  reputation  and  first-class  manage 
ment.  It  is  a  grand,  imposing,  and  commodious  edifice, 
with  heavy  columns  in  front,  which  gives  it  a  majestic 
appearance.  It  is  conducted  on  the  European  plan,  and 
is  the  finest  building  of  its  class  in  the  city. 

13* 


150  LIFE    IN   THE   AEMY. 


Moral  condition.  Personal  observations. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

OBSERVATIONS    CONTINUED. 

THE  MORAL  CONDITION  OF  THE  CITY— INDIFFERENCE  TO  RELIGION- 
SABBATH  DESECRATION— STREET  CARS— COCK-FIGHTING-DRUNKEN 
NESS— STATISTICS  OF  RUM  TRAFFIC— SUNDAY  THEATERS— MUSIC- 
REVELRY— THE  CATHOLIC  RELIGION— EFFECTS  OF  DISLOYALTY- 
FOREIGNERS  AND  THEIR  VICES— GAMBLING-HOUSES— SLAVERY— THE 
DEVIL'S  WORKSHOP— PRIDE  AND  POVERTY— A  GREAT  HOME  MIS 
SIONARY  FIELD— A  DIFFICULT  WAY  TO  HEAVEN  BY  NEW  ORLEANS. 

I  REMEMBER  to  have  heard  and  read  much,  when  a 
boy,  of  the  wickedness  of  the  people  of  New  Orleans. 
No  person,  however,  not  actually  conversant  with  the 
habits,  manners,  and  character  of  the  people  here,  can 
have  a  vivid  realization  of  the  magnitude  and  variety 
of  the  forms  which  vice,  irreligion,  and  immorality 
assume  in  the  crescent  city.  After  being  a  resident 
here  sufficiently  long  to  know  personally  thereof  I 
affirm,  I  must  bear  witness  that  the  half  has  never  been 
told  me,  The  evidences  which  establish  here  a  bad 
preeminence  in  regard  to  immorality  abound  on  every  side. 
After  making  due  allowances  for  the  unsettled  condition 
incident  to  war,  I  may  be  allowed  to  state  that  I  con 
sider  this  one  of  the  most  immoral  cities,  according  to 
population,  in  the  whole  Union. 

There  are  thousands  upon  thousands  who  never  attend 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       151 

Sabbath-breaking.  Sabbath  amusements. 

religious  service  anywhere,  but  give  their  whole  time  to 
the  service  of  sin  and  the  devil. 

I  have  observed  the  following  facts  : 

First.  The  claims  of  the  Holy  Sabbath  are  by  many 
totally  disregarded.  No  sacredness  or  sanctity  seems  to 
be  connected  with  it. 

Second.  The  theatres  are  open  on  the  evenings  of  the 
Lord's  day,  and  are  generally  crowded  by  men,  women, 
and  children,  whose  moral  sense,  if  they  ever  had  any,  is 
by  this  means  sinking  into  deeper  degradation  constantly. 
No  sadder  sight  is  conceivable,  in  the  mind  of  a  northern 
Sabbath  observer,  than  to  witness  these  great  crowds  of 
dying  mortals,  wending  their  way  to  the  various  haunts  of 
amusement,  and  vice,  when  it  would  seem  they  ought  to 
be  engaged  in  prayer,  and  listening  to  the  teachings  of 
God's  word. 

Bands  of  music  are  out  on  balconies  playing,  and  no 
means  which  may  seduce  and  attract  the  multitude  to 
Sabbath-breaking,  is  left  untried.  How  often  these 
sounds,  so  discordant  amid  the  stillness  of  the  holy  Sab 
bath  evening,  have  pained  my  heart,  and  made  me  wish 
and  long  to  be  beyond  their  influence. 

Third.  The  street  cars  run  all  day  on  Sabbath,  as  on 
any  other  day  of  the  week,  and  multitudes  are  seen 
riding  in  them,  and  in  private  carriages  for  mere  plea 
sure. 

Fourth.  Cock-fighting  is  a  popular  pastime  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  attracts  crowds  to  witness  this  barbarous 
practice,  which  is  highly  demoralizing  in  its  influence. 


152  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Drunkenness.  Statistics  of  rum  traffic. 

Fifth.  Drunkenness  abounds.  The  hotels,  grog-shops, 
saloons,  and  other  places  where  whisky  is  sold,  are 
crowded.  There  seems  to  be  no  restriction  on  the  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquor,  except  the  license,  which  is  one 
hundred  dollars,  for  every  place  of  this  character.  There 
are  six  hundred  and  thirty-seven  licensed  groggeries,  or, 
as  they  are  here  called  "  Coffee-houses,"  and  many  of 
them  are  temptingly  open  night  and  day. 

There  are  five  hundred  and  twenty-eight  groceries, 
also  licensed  to  deal  in  strychnine  whisky,  or  what  some 
one  appropriately  calls  "damnation;"  making  in  all 
eleven  hundred  and  sixty-five  places,  where  the  public 
may  purchase  rum.  This  is  a  larger  proportion  than 
can  be  enumerated  in  any  city  of  its  population  in  Chris 
tendom. 

It  will  also  be  noted,  that  in  view  of  the  heavy  cost 
of  license,  they  must  all  contrive  to  sell  large  quantities, 
to  enable  them  to  pay  expenses.  Thousands  of  barrels 
are  therefore  consumed  annually ;  for  they  all  seem  to  be 
making  money,  and  amassing  fortunes,  by  the  manu 
facture  of  drunkards,  and  all  the  ills  and  woes  which 
follow  in  the  train,  both  here  and  hereafter. 

Some. apologize  for  this  excessive  use  of  intoxicating 
drink,  on  the  ground  that  health  demands  a  certain 
amount  of  stimulus.  This  I  pronounce  untrue.  The 
men  who  take  no  intoxicating  liquor  enjoy  the  best  health. 
Hear  this,  ye  devotees  of  Bacchus,  and  all  ye  who  en 
courage  them  in  their  ruinous  course.  It  is  a  lament 
able  fact  that  some  of  our  army  officers  have  fallen  into 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       153 

Drunken  surgeons.  Licentiousness. 

this  delusion,  and  have  become  addicted  to  the  same  evil 
habits.  It  is  perilous  to  themselves,  and  most  prejudicial 
to  others,  by  their  influence  and  example.  The  surgeon 
that  will  advise  you  to  this  course,  is  likely  to  be  a  rum- 
sucker  himself,  and  is  therefore  a  blind  guide,  in  matters 
of  this  kind.  I  have  known  patients  to  die  in  the 
hospitals  crying  "  I  am  drunk,"  and  why  was  this  ?  Be 
cause  the  surgeon  in  attendance  administered  liquor. 

What  a  fearful  responsibility  that  Doctor  will  incur 
when  he  stands  before  the  judgment-seat,  who  has  used 
his  authority  to  increase  drunkenness,  and  under  the 
derangement  occasioned  by  intemperance,  has  sent  souls 
into  the  presence  of  God  their  maker ! 

Sixth.  The  statistics  of  vice  represent  the  city  as  cursed 
with  houses  of  ill-fame,  where  unblushing  licentiousness 
is  going  on  day  and  night.  Iniquity  of  this  species  is 
said  to  be  utterly  unbridled  throughout  the  city. 

Seventh.  The  few,  comparatively,  who  attend  church 
seldom  go  more  than  once  on  Sabbath,  and  are  reasonably 
supposed  to  spend  the  balance  of  its  sacred  hours  in  idle 
ness. 

Eighth.  Another  cause,  and  perhaps  the  chief  one,  in 
accounting  for  the  low  state  of  public  morals  in  this 
city,  is,  "the  prevalence  of  the  Roman  Catholic  religion. 
The  history  of  the  past  will  show  as  the  fruits  of  this 
system,  a  state  of  ignorance,  and  a  standard  of  morality 
exceedingly  low. 

Ninth.  The  fact  of  disloyalty  may  be  cited  as  a  cause 
of  immorality.  Wherever  the  blight  of  secession  and 


154  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Disloyalty.  Ignorance.  Gambling-houses. 

treason  has  appeared — there  may  be  gathered  the  evi 
dence  of  wrong-doing  in  every  department  of  social  life. 

Rebellion  was  inaugurated  against  the  light  of  con 
science  and  convictions  of  right,  and  truth.  Losing 
sight  of  their  high  and  holy  obligation  to  preserve  alle 
giance  to  the  "  powers  that  be,"  general  recklessness  of 
character  and  conduct  has  here,  as  elsewhere  been  the 
result. 

Tenth.  The  subject  of  education  has  not  received  the 
attention  here  which  has  been  given  to  it  in  northern 
cities.  Certain  classes  have  been  entirely  neglected,  and 
the  tendency  has  been  fatal  to  virtue  and  morality. 

Eleventh.  The  foreign  element  in  this  city  being,  as  I 
have  shown,  a  large  proportion  of  the  population  have 
brought  their  loose  views  and  low  vices  with  them  from 
other  lands,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  larger  liberty  than 
they  ever  had  before  give  unrestricted  development  to  their 
depraved  habits,  and  help  to  demoralize  community 
around  them. 

Twelfth.  Gambling-houses  abound  and  are  constantly 
in  full  blast,  decoying  young  men  into  their  meshes,  and 
destroying  their  morals. 

This  specific  evil  is  regulated,  or  rather  licensed  by 
the  authorities,  and  there  is  hardly  a  voice  raised  in  con 
demnation  of  it.  The  press,  which  ought  to  be  the  con 
servator  of  good  morals  everywhere,  is  so  submissive  to 
public  opinion,  that  it  dares  not  speak  out  as  it  should 
on  this  question.  A  leading  article  in  one  of  the  papers 
recently  said,  "  It  is  a  very  nice  point, -a  delicate  question; 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  155 

The  press.  Slavery. 

and  a  great  deal  can  be  said  on  both  sides ;  whether  pub 
lic  morality  can  be  best  served  by  licensing  gambling- 
houses,  or  enacting  prohibitory  laws  against  them." 

Out  upon  such  base  subserviency,  even  in  appearance, 
to  the  clamor  of  a  depraved  and  perverted  taste.  The 
Really  moral  and  good  people  of  New  Orleans,  as  of  all 
other  cities,  who  look  at  the  subject  from  a  proper  stand 
point,  must  know  that  the  prohibition  of  vice,  not  only 
prevents  its  commission  very  frequently,  but  is  actually 
demanded  as  a  safeguard  for  society. 

Thirteenth.  The  existence  of  human  slavery,  after 
all,  is  the  prime  cause  of  that  low  state  of  morals  for 
which  this  city  is  preeminent.  This  parent  evil  has 
brought  forth  an  innumerable  progeny  of  peculiar  vices. 
It  is  the  cause  of  idleness  among  the  white  population, 
and  this  is  generally  the  source  of  bad  habits.  An  idle 
mind,  as  the  homely  phrase  has  it,  is  the  "  devil's  work 
shop."  While  it  would  drive  the  poor  bondman  to  his 
work  by  the  lash,  and  chain  him  to  his  toil  from  day  to 
day,  it  exempted  the  master  and  his  race  from  earning 
their  bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  own  brow,  as  the  great 
law  of  Scripture  requires.  The  indolence  engendered, 
therefore,  by  slavery,  becomes  a  hot-bed  for  prolific 
sins. 

I  may  add,  to  these  facts,  that  there  are  numerous 
families  who  are  too  proud  to  attend  church  without  pay 
ing  their  way,  and  yet,  are  so  straitened  in  their  circum 
stances,  that  they  cannot  afford  to  do  it.  They  conse 
quently  remain  away  from  worship,  and  parents,  and 


156  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Adventurers.  A  missionary  field. 

children,  are  growing  up  without  the  influence  of  the 
means  of  grace. 

Again,  there  are  a  very  considerable  number  of  young 
men,  clerks,  and  artisans,  who  are  here  but  temporary 
sojourners,  their  object  being  to  make  a  fortune,  and 
then,  as  they  hope,  to  leave  here  for  more  congenial  sur 
roundings  elsewhere.  This  class  are  entirely  alienated 
from  everything  like  religious  influence,  although  many 
of  them  were  brought  up  at  their  distant  homes  to  respect 
the  Bible  and  fear  God. 

With  all  these  considerations  before  us,  who  can  doubt 
that  this  city  and  vicinity,  and,  indeed,  the  state  at  large, 
is  a  very  appropriate  field  for  the  work  of  home  mis 
sions. 

It  is  true,  and  I  admit  with  great  pleasure,  the  excep 
tion,  that  .there  are  some  excellent  people  here,  as  there 
are  in  other  parts  of  the  South.  If  there  had  not  been  a 
little  salt  this  whole  region  would  long  since  have  been  as 
Sodom.  I  assert,  notwithstanding,  that  the  picture  here 
is  substantially  true  of  the  great  majority,  and  any  com 
parison  that  may  be  instituted  between  the  North  and 
South,  will  show  a  large  preponderance  in  the  scale  of 
morality  in  favor  of  the  former. 

I  hope,  and  will  earnestly  pray  for  better  days,  when 
a  free  gospel  shall  here  run  and  be  glorified,  and  these 
tens  of  thousands  who  are  without  God  and  hope  in  the 
world,  will  be  awakened  powerfully,  and  soundly  con 
verted  from  the  error  of  their  ways. 

At  present,  it  is  my  deliberate   judgment,  that  it  is 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       157 

kr,  .  A  hard  road  to  heaven.       *  , 

no  easy  matter  to  go  to  heaven  by  the  way  of  New 
Orleans. 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  that  a  good  man  cannot  main 
tain  purity  of  life  and  conduct  anywhere,  but  it  is  not  at 
all  desirable  to  be  so  circumstanced  that  the  liability  to 
fall  into  temptation  is  increased  a  hundred-fold.  The 
possibility  of  falling  from  grace  is  one  of  the  doctrines 
of  my  creed,  and  I  have  always  believed  that  a  Chris 
tian's  safety  and  peace  is  best  promoted  by  avoiding  even 
the  appearance  of  evil. 

14 


158  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 


Folly  of  Secession. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

OBSERVATIONS   CONTINUED. 

FOLLY  AND  MADNESS  OF  REBELLION— AVERAGE  OF  RUNAWAY  SLAYES 
—SLAVE  HUNTING  IN  THE  SWAMPS  —  "  PIOUS  "  MASTERS— ENGLISH 
NEUTRALITY— MOTIVES  OF  THE  BRITISH— A  NUT  FOR  LORD  JOHN 
RUSSELL  TO  CRACK -SECRET  MEETINGS  FOR  TREASONABLE  PUR 
POSES-CHARACTER  OF  THE  POLICEMEN— INDIGNITIES  TO  UNION 
SOLDIERS—"  STRAWS,"  SHOWING  HOW  THE  WIND  BLOWS— FOREIGN 
LANGUAGE  A  CLOAK  TO  TREASON— ROMAN  CATHOLICISM  FAVOUR 
ABLE  TO  DESPOTISM— DISLOYALTY  OF  THE  WOMEN-^HATRED  OF  THE 
FLAG— STARVATION  UNDER  JEFF.  DAVIS'  DYNASTY— PARTIALITY  TO 
REBEL  PRISONERS— THE  TEXAN  BATTLE-CRY—PETTICOAT  GOVERN 
MENT—UNION  OFFICERS  IN  THE  HANDS  OF  DELILAH— HEART  CAP 
TURES—FREE  MASONRY  IN  THE  SOUTH  — NO  AFFILIATION  WITH 
YANKEES  — UNACCOUNTABLE  PARTIALITY  OF  THE  POOR  WHITES 
FOR  THE  SYSTEM  OF  SLAVERY— THEIR  TRUE  INTEREST  AND  POSI 
TION— SABBATH-SCHOOL  BOOKS  AND  RELIGIOUS  PAPERS  DESTROYED 
—MADNESS  AND  INFATUATION  OF  THE  PRO-SLAVERY  PARTY— THREE 
SECESSION  MERCHANTS  "DRIED  UP  "— "  GLORIOUS  NEWS  1"— GOD  ON 
THE  SIDE  OF  THE  UNION. 

FROM  the  prosperity  which  had  ever  attended  this  state 
and  city,  since  coming  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States,  and  from  the  disposition  which  the  peo 
ple  evinced  to  delight  in  the  growing  greatness  of  the 
"  fair  City  of  Perth,"  and  in  the  advent  of  any,  and 
everything  that  might  add  to  heK  wealth,  or  enhance  her 
beauty,  it  might  reasonably  be  supposed  they  would  have 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  159 

Blindness  of  the  people.  Secession  no  parallel  to  the  Revolution. 

been  the  last  to  lift  the  hand  of  rebellion  against  our  glo 
rious  government. 

It  is,  however,  a  palpable  fact,  which  history  has  put 
down  on  imperishable  record,  that  against  all  experience, 
all  obligation,  and  all  her  interests,  she  was  as  blind  as 
the  rest  of  her  misguided  sisters  in  their  "  wayward " 
course  to  dishonor  and  wreck.  And  imbibing  the  baleful 
spirit  of  treason,  her  leading  citizens  embarked  their  all 
in  the  false  dognia  of  "  State  rights,"  or  southern  inde 
pendence. 

So  pernicious  were  the  teachings  of  these  leading  spi 
rits,  and  so  potent  their  influence,  that  it  is  the  opinion 
o*f  sensible  and  reliable  men,  nearly  if  not  quite  nine- 
tenths  of  the  original  citizens  are  either  downright  re 
bels,  or  in  sympathy  with  their  unholy  cause.  Jeff. 
Davis  himself  is  no  more  disloyal  than  arc  many  of  these 
people  to-day. 

In  their  mad  and  baffled  rage,  they  inform  us  that 
they  hold  the  same  relation  to  us  of  the  north,  that  we 
did  to  England  before  the  revolutionary  war :  that  the 
causes  which  induced  them  to  rebel,  and  the  objects  they 
have  in  view,  are  as  pure,  honorable  and  holy,  as  those 
of  our  fathers  when  they  cast  off  the  British  yoke. 
What  a  delusion ! 

If  they  had  reasons  for  resistance  and  rebellion  against 
the  parent  government,  why  did  they  not  present  their 
grievances,  as  was  done  in  former  days  to  England,  be 
fore  firing  on  the  flag  ?  They  may  have  had  some  ima 
ginary  and  some  real  cause  of  complaint  against  northern 


160  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

The  rebellion  causeless.  Runaway  slaves. 

men  and  some  of  the  northern  states ;  but  they  could 
find  no  fault  with  the  general  government,  since  it  was 
at  the  very  time  of  the  outbreak,  partly  under  the  con 
trol  of  bold,  bad  men,  thoroughly  wedded  to  their  own 
interests.  Any  charge  of  wrong,  or  oppression  against 
it,  would,  if  calmly  and  respectfully  made,  have  been 
patiently  considered,  and  if  founded  in  truth,  redressed. 
To  allege  that  they  were  oppressed,  or  that  their  inte 
rests  were  disregarded,  would  have  bee'n  false,  and  they 
know  it.  The  enlightened  sense  of  mankind  testifies 
emphatically  as  to  the  causelessness,  and  the  utter  insa 
nity  of  their  course.  Nothing  could  have  occurred, 
more  suicidal  to  New  Orleans  and  her  people  than  seces 
sion.  Why  then  did  they  secede?  Only  twenty-eight 
of  their  slaves  on  an  average,  escaped  annually  to  the 
north. 

A  larger  number  may  have  fled  from  the  cruelty  or 
lust  of  the  master,  or  the  lash  of  the  soulless  overseer, 
into  the  neighboring  swamps ;  but  would  secession  make 
the  swamps  less  intricate  or  remove  them  further  away? 
I  have  been  informed  that  masters,  professing  to  be 
pious,  hunted  their  runaways  in  these  places  with  blood 
hounds,  to  recover  possession  of  their  human  property ! 

The  attitude  of  England  toward  us  and  toward  the 
so-called  Confederate  States  is  one  of  strange  inconsist 
ency.  It  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  the  cupidity  and 
jealousy  of  that  nation:  first,  to  break  down  the  colossal 
power  of  our  growing  and  mighty  Union ;  and  secondly, 
to  embrace  every  chance,  whether  the  means  be  fair  or 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       161 

Attitude  of  Great  Britain.  Measure  for  measure. 

foul,  to  make  money.  That  the  ambitious  and  selfish 
demagogues  of  the  south  were  instigated  and  encouraged 
in  the  work  of  rending  the  Union  in  twain  is  not  to  be 
doubted ;  and  that  for  once  the  biter  has  been  severely 
bitten  must  be  a  source  of  high  satisfaction  to  every  just 
and  honorable  mind.  It  is  the  order  of  God  in  regard 
to  nations  as  well  as  individuals,  "  With  what  measure 
ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again."  And  the 
day  may  come  when  the  doctrines  of  Lord  John  Russell 
and  some  of  his  hypocritical  abettors  may  be  convenient 
as  a  basis  of  action  in  certain  coming  contingencies.  Let 
poor  Ireland  arise  and  strike  for  republican  liberty,  and 
then  let  us  as  a  neutral  power  act  toward  England  on  the 
principles  which  English  statesmen  have  laid  down  as 
law  and  right,  the  tables  will  be  effectually  turned,  and 
if  the  old  lion  dares  to  growl,  we  can,  by  the  help  of 
God  and  the  memory  of  Washington,  turn  to  and  whip 
the  whole  of  them  a  third  time.  But  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  no  occasion  of  this  kind  will  arise.  Rather  do  we 
wish  for  universal  peace,  and  cultivate  "  good  will  to 
men." 

The  future  of  this  great  nation  is  a  fixed  reality. 
England,  southern  aristocracy,  and  the  devil  combined, 
have  not  succeeded  in  impairing,  one  iota,  our  unity, 
perpetuity,  and  power.  A  brighter  destiny  than  ever  is 
before  us.  Our  flag  again  floats  over  every  foot  of 
American  soil.  We  stand  shoulder  to  shoulder  to  defend 
that  banner,  to  maintain  the  Monroe  doctrine,  to  demand 
respect  from  European  nationalities,  and  to  take  Mr. 

14  * 


162  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY*. 

John  Bull  in  a  tight  place.  Rebel  spies. 

John  Bull  by  the  horns  at  any  time  he  becomes  uproari 
ous,  and  shake  him  down  into  propriety  and  repentance 
for  his  many  and  mean  acts,  of  which  he  stands  con 
victed  at  the  bar  of  public  opinion. 

It  is  curious  to  observe  the  change  that  has  come  over 
the  minds  of  the  rebels  in  regard  to  their  expected  ally 
across  the  ocean.  Deserting  their  sinking  cause  when 
his  own  schemes  are  hopeless,  he  has  gained  their  hearty 
and  undisguised  contempt. 

I  have  learned  on  good  authority,  that  the  rebels  and 
their  sympathizers  in  this  city,  hold  secret  meetings  on 
certain  evenings  of  each  week,  to  devise  ways  and  means 
to  oppose  and  embarrass  the  government,  and  aid  the 
cause  of  rebellion.  It  is  also  understood  that  they  have 
agents  engaged  for  pay,  whose  duty  it  is  to  frequent  the 
hotels  and  other  places  where  Union  officers  congregate, 
and  collect  all  the  information  they  can,  and  then  make 
their  report  to  the  rebel  head-quarters.  I  have  myself 
seen  these  spies  deliberately  draw  up  their  chairs  near 
where  our  officers  were  engaged  in  conversation,  and 
without  seeming  to  be  interested,  attentively  note  every 
syllable  uttered.  I  have  found  it  to  be  a  difficult  mat 
ter  at  times  to  restrain  my  hands  from  their  coat  collar, 
and  my  feet  from  performing  an  act  which,  although  un 
dignified,  is  yet  justly  due  to  all  such  rascals.  Kind 
and  courteous  treatment  is  lost  on  such  bitter  opponents 
of  everything  and  everybody  pertaining  to  the  Union. 
They  have  upon  all  occasions  treated  us  as  enemies, 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  163 

Secret  meetings.  The  police  force. 

while  we  have  too  frequently  treated  and  trusted  them 
as  friends. 

The  police  force  of  this  city  are  considered  by  many  to 
be  of  similar  stripe  with  the  majority  of  the  citizens,  that 
is — disloyal.  There  may  be  a  few,  and  I  believe  only  a  few 
exceptions.  As  a  body,  I  have  seen  enough  to  substan 
tiate  the  charge  I  make  against  them.  They  show  every 
symptom  of  gratification  when  they  can  arrest  and  mis 
use  a  poor  straggling  Union  soldier  that  unfortunately 
falls  into  their  hands ;  and  this  inhumanity  always  de 
lights  the  rabble,  whose  contempt  poured  on  our  soldiers 
is  a  notorious  and  oft  repeated  fact.  Indeed  the  police, 
the  rowdies,  and  the  most  noted  rebel  citizens,  are  always 
on  the  best  of  terms,  and  I  have  no  doubt,  conspire  toge 
ther  for  their  own  nefarious  ends.  Many  of  them,  it  is 
known,  have  been  in  the  rebel  army,  and  after  sundry 
campaigns,  have  now  become  peace  officers  in  our  midst. 
That  such  a  thing  as  this  can  exist,  is  a  disgrace — a 
burning  shame;  giving  them  the  power  to  control  to 
any  extent  the  soldiers,  who  are  here  in  the  service  of  the 
government,  defending  its  honor,  and  upholding  its 
authority. 

That  part  of  the  population  who  are  foreigners  by 
birth,  and  who  have  been  educated  to  despise  a  repub 
lican  form  of  government,  very  naturally  fall  into  the 
position  of  hostile  foes.  They  do  not  understand  the 
nature  and  workings  of  our  system,  and  are  ever  ready 
and  ripe  for  revolution.  We  can  make  some  allowances 
for  this  class,  and  only  demand  that  they  shall  learn  to 


164  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Abuse  of  power.  Preference  for  despotism. 

adapt  themselves  to  our  usages,  and  respect  our  legiti 
mate  authority,  or  return  to  the  old  world,  and  allow 
their  places  here  to  be  filled  with  better  men.  The  in 
solence  and  ignorance  of  many  of  them  is  a  great  an 
noyance  to  those  who  love  to  breathe  the  pure  air  of 
freedom,  and  who  love  their  land  as  they  love  their 
life. 

It  would  seem  to  us  that  foreigners  of  all  others  ought 
to  appreciate  their  position,  and  become  the  most  in 
tensely  loyal  to  a  country  that  has  lifted  them  up  out  of 
degradation,  and  spread  its  wings  of  protection  and 
plenty  around  them,  to  a  degree  they  never  could  have 
reached  under  the  despotic  governments  of  Europe. 

The  absurd  idea  of  erecting  a  kind  of  monarchy  here 
in  the  South,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  the  effete 
aristocracy  which  built  its  foundation  on-  human  slavery, 
took  very  generally  with  these  foreigners ;  but  the  dream 
of  their  dynasty  has  melted  away,  and  there  will  shortly 
be  no  room  here  for  the  friends  of  despotism.  By  right 
of  conquest,  the  hardy,  earnest  sons  of  liberty,  have 
made,  and  will  maintain  this  undivided  domain — "  the 
land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  t(£ave." 

I  have  already  adverted  to  the  significant  fact,  that 
citizens  here  converse,  when  in  the  presence  of  Union 
men,  in  a  language  which  they  do  not  understand,  and 
thus  may  indulge  to  the  greatest  extent  in  treasonable 
talk  with  impunity.  Much  of  the  jargon  we  hear  in  our 
intercourse  with  the  more  influential  people,  would, 


OBSERVATIONS   IN  NEW  ORLEANS.  165 

The  Roman  Catholic  Church.  In  sympathy  with  treason. 

doubtless,  if  translated  and  understood,  commit  them  to 
imprisonment  and  the  penalty  due  to  traitors. 

The  prominence  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
the  blind  adherence  to  her  teachings  which  is  given  by 
multitudes,  may  account  for  their  disloyalty.  It  is  a 
well-known  fact  that  this  semi-political  hierarchy  is 
opposed  to  republican  liberty.  Of  course  there  are  indi 
vidual  exceptions  by  some  devotees  of  this  faith,  who  rise 
far  enough  above  the  spirit  and  teachings  of "  mother 
church,"  to  appreciate  the  birth-right  of  freedom ;  but 
it  is  a  matter  of  history  that  the  large  body  of  Romanists 
in  these  United  States,  have  always  voted  according  to 
the  dictum  of  their  priests,  and  the  policy  of  the  priests 
has  ever  been,  to  seek  and  secure  political  power.  There 
fore,  whatever  party  has  promised  them  the  largest 
advantage,  has  invariably  secured  their  support. 

We  would  not  be  uncharitable,  or  allow  bigotry  to  per 
vert  judgment,  and  yet  we  say  that  this  body  is  loyal 
only  so  far,  and  in  such  proportions  as  her  interests  are 
subserved.  It  is  to  her  great  discredit,  and  must  remain 
a  stigma  on  her  name,  that  during  this  terrible  war,  her 
bishops,  priests,  and  people,  have  either  taken  sides 
openly  with  our  enemies,  or  refused  to  say  a  good  word 
in  behalf  of  the  Union  cause.  In  fact,  they  occupy  the 
position  of  the  man  on  the  fence  in  all  such  important 
issues,  and  are  waiting  to  jump  to  either  side  as  worldly 
policy  may  suggest.  c 

I  am  glad  to  record  such  honorable  exceptions  as 
Bishop  Purcell  of  Cincinnati,  and  some  of  the  generals 


166  LIFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

Loyal  Catholics.  Pio  N.ono.  Catholic  press. 

and  officers  of  our  army,  whose  hearts  beat  true  for 
"  Liberty  and  Union,  one  and  indivisible."  Such  illus 
trious  names  as  Rosecrans,  Corcoran,  Meagher,  and  the 
renowned  Phil  Sheridan,  are  noble  types  of  loyalty  and 
bravery,  but  this  is  not  because,  but  in  spite  of  the  poor 
pitiful  policy  of  a  creed  that  bends  before  every  blast, 
and  overlooking  settled  principles  adjusts  itself  to  cir 
cumstances. 

No  press  in  the  country  has*  taught  treason  with  a 
,more  virulent  and  persistent  intent,  than  that  under 
Catholic  control.  Between  their  papers  published  in 
New  York  or  Boston,  and  the  organs  of  the  bogus  Con 
federacy  at  Richmond,  there  has  been  a  marked  simi 
larity  of  tone,  and  a  perfect  agreement  in  principle,  so 
that  ages  cannot  wipe  out  the  record  of  complicity  which 
this  church  has  earned  with  the  traitors  of  the  South. 
The  rebels  seem  to  understand  this  matter,  and  boast- 
ingly  claim  the  prestige  and  patronage  of  Roman 
Catholicism  on  their  side,  both  in  this  country  and 
abroad.  It  is  said  that  the  only  foreign  power  that  was  fool 
enough  to  recognize  the  South,  was  that  vested  in  an  old 
man  at  Rome  by  the  name  of  Pio  Nono  ! 

No  doubt  our  Catholic  population  look  with  especial 
favor  and  approbation  on  the  course  of  Napoleon  with 
reference  to  Mexico,  and  that,  true  to  all  the  past  history 
of  this  Church,  any  change  in  human  government  would 
be  desirable  that  secures  to  h$r  the  prospect  of  temporal 
as  well  as  spiritual  power. 

It  is  confessed  to  be  a  darling  and  fundamental  article 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  167 

No  return  to  despotism.  Design  of  popery. 

of  her  faith,  that  the  Pope  ought  to  be  supreme  head  of 
the  State — of  all  State  governments — as  well  as  sole  ar 
biter  of  all  moral,  spiritual,  and  eternal  interests  relating 
to  mankind :  but  the  world  has  outlived  such  theories 
as  this,  and  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth  centuries  are 
not  likely  to  retrace  the  progress  of  freedom's  car,  or 
relinquish  the  boon  of  liberty  of  conscience,  to  gratify 
the  lust  for  power  and  ascendency  which  forms  the  lead 
ing  characteristic  of  this  Church. 

From  the  stand-point  here  raised,  we  may  be  able  to 
account  for  the  indifference  she  has  manifested  for  the 
success  of  the  cause  of  human  freedom,  and  the  aid  and 
comfort  she  has  given  to  our  enemies,  not  caring  appa 
rently  which  party,  the  insurgents  or  the  loyal  force, 
might  succeed  if  this  success  should  or  could  tend  to  her 
advancement. 

On  the  4th  July,  1864,  the  Roman  Church  of  this 
city,  by  her  diief  ecclesiastics,  celebrated  a  "  High  Mass" 
for  peace.  What  kind  of  peace,  I  wonder,  would  suit 
such  pious  rebels  ?  Some  compromise,  doubtless,  with 
ultra  southern  views,  or  concession  to  Jeff.,  Tom  Walker, 
Napoleon,  or  the  Pope,  not  forgetting  a  personage  at  the 
bottom  of  all  their  schemes,  and  familiarly  known  as 
"  his  Satanic  Majesty."  I  had  more  faith  in  the  music 
of  fife  and  drum,  and  the  arguments  of  one-hundred 
pounders,  at  that  date,  in  securing  peace,  than  in  high- 
falutin  display  of  mummery  around  the  altars  of  a  Cath 
olic  church. 

It  is  exceedingly  unpleasant  to  be  compelled  to  class 


168  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

t    '  Rebel  women.  Their  insolence. 

the  great  majority  of  the  women  of  this  city  with  the 
most  bitterly  disloyal  and  unfriendly  to  the  government 
represented  by  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

They  have  various  ways  in  which  their  hostile  spirit 
is  manifested,  in  the  public  streets,  as  well  as  at  their 
homes.  In  dress  it  is  easy  to  discern,  by  certain  blend 
ing  of  colors,  who  are  and  who  are  not  "  sound  on  the 
eagle."  An  arrangement  of  red,  white,  and  red  ribbons 
or  flowers  indicates  in  a  moment  that  the  person  is  a  reb. 
You  will  see  this  class  avoiding  all  contact  with  others 
who  sail  under  the  good  old  red,  white,  and  blue,  and 
shunning,  as  if  it  were  contagious,  the  presence  of  a 
Union  officer  or  soldier.  Their  expressions,  also,  in  the 
cars,  and  in  other  public  places,  are  often  intended  to 
convey  a  stinging  insult  to  persons  of  Union  sentiments. 
Not  one  of  them  was  to  be  found  visiting  the  hospitals 
where  our  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  lay,  while  crowds 
of  them  sought  admission  among  the  rebel  *prisoners  to 
load  them  with  luxuries,  and  encourage  them  not  to  take 
the  oath  of  allegiance. 

It  is  strange  that  such  a  large  proportion  of  the  fair 
sex,  should  be  on  the  wrong  side,  since  it  is  a  maxim 
that  women  almost  by  intuition  are  on  the  side  of 
humanity,  purity,  and  truth. 

We  have  heard  some  of  their  children  declare  in 
company,  to  the  great  mortification  of  the  haughty 
mother,  that  before  the  Federal  fleet  arrived  off  the  city, 
they  were  reduced  to  corn  bread  and  water  as  their  daily 
diet ;  and  notwithstanding  many  of  these  persons  have 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       169 

The  Texan  battle  cry.  Hatred  of  the  flag. 

been  fed  and  clothed,  their  children  saved  from  naked 
ness  and  starvation,  and  employment  given  to  their 
husbands  by  the  government,  during  the  past  two  years, 
yet  these  very  women  are  engaged  night  and  day,  in 
doing  all  they  can  to  aid  the  rebellion. 

Their  disloyalty,  and  ingratitude,  must  be  the  result 
of  that  perversity  and  wickedness,  which  as  we  have 
seen,  is  everywhere  cropping  out  as  the  fruits  of  the 
mania  of  secession. 

I  heard  one  of  the  ladies  (?)  of  this  city,  urge  a  paroled 
Texan  prisoner  to  gratify  her  by  giving  the  Texan  battle 
yell,  and  offering  to  reward  him  for  so  doing;  but  the 
poor  Texan  either  had  better  sense,  or  was  afraid  to  give 
the  desired  exhibition,  and  the  other  had  to  pass  on 
without  the  coveted  pleasure. 

Our  flag  was  a  great  eye-sore  to  these  women.  In 
one  of  the  churches  it  was  hung  over  the  pulpit,  and 
they  requested  that  it  might  be  removed,  as  the  sight  of 
it  made  them  feel  like  fainting!  Had  it  been  the  u stars 
and  bars,"  the  effect  would  have  been  different. 

Many  of  these  high-toned  females  know  that  the  sup 
pression  of  the  rebellion  will  sweep  away  the  chief  prop 
on  which  it  rests,  that  is  slavery,  and  such  a  consummation 
is  to  them  a  deplorable  calamity;  for  the  force  of  cir 
cumstances  will  compel  them  to  do  what  they  have  been 
educated  to  consider  a  disgrace,  viz.  to  work. 

If  it  should  happen  that  some  of  them  will  have  to 
take  the  oversight  of  their  own  kitchen,  which  now  is 
left  to  the  exclusive  superintendence  of  "  Dinah,"  they 

15 


170  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Subjugation.  Heart  captures. 

will  feel  like  a  cat  in  a  strange  garret,  and  will  have  to 
begin  life  anew,  by  devoting  themselves  to  something 
more  practical  than  novel  reading  and  fine  dress.  Work 
will  be  to  them  the  greatest  of  blessings,  if  they  only 
knew  it.  The  changes  that  are  inevitable  in  the  whole 
structure  of  southern  society  will  conduce  to  better  health 
and  more  happiness  than  has  ever  been  the  case  before. 

After  all  the  abuse  and  scorn  heaped  upon  General 
Butler,  for  his  common  sense  views,  and  strictly  just 
dealing  with  this  people,  it  appears  to  any  impartial  mind 
that  he  was  right  in  every  measure  tending  to  subjugate 
the  obstinate  and  unmannerly  bearing  of  these  she  rebels, 
toward  a  people  who  came  as  their  best  friends,  and 
brought  deliverance  to  their  city,  and  security  to  their 
homes. 

One  remarkable  fact  in  regard  to  these  ladies,  has  ar 
rested  my  attention  :  although  they  exhibit  such  contempt 
for  the  Yankees,  yet  strange  to  say,  many  of  them  have 
allowed  their  hearts  to  be  captured  and  have  gracefully 
yielded  themselves  up  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  our 
glorious  army. 

"With  all  their  secession  proclivities,  I  have  not  heard 
of  one  of  them  refusing  to  marry  a  good-4ooking  Union 
officer,  when  the  chance  was  fairly  offered.  A  great 
many  captures  of  this  tender  kind  are  reported,  and  so 
far  as  they  go,  will,  I  suppose,  have  some  influence  in 
restoring  the  Union. 

Another  matter  forces  itself  on  my  pen.  It  may  be 
contraband  to  say  what  I  am  about  to  write,  but  I  take 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  171 

Petticoat  government.  Free  Masonry. 

the  responsibility.  Some  of  the  most  designing  and  dan 
gerous  of  these  secesh  women  appear  to  have  gained  a 
wonderful  influence  over  certain  of  our  army  officers, 
and  can  obtain  any  information,  or  secure  any  favor  that 
suits  their  purposes.  It  is  even  whispered  that  they 
have  wormed  out  secrets  which  have  been  rapidly  trans 
mitted  to  our  enemies  in  the  field,  and  which  have  turned 
against  us  the  fate  of  more  than  one  severe  engagement. 
Now  if  such  things  are  so,  and  there  is  strong  probability 
of  the  charge  being  true,  the  officer  who  allows  himself, 
and  the  cause  he  is  commissioned  and  sworn  to  defend, 
to  come  under  this  kind  of  petticoat  government,  ought 
to  be  cashiered  the  service  at  once. 

The  rupture  caused  by  secession  extended  not  merely 
to  political  and  civil  relations,  but  also  to  every  social 
tie  and  fraternal  order  in  the  south.  It  was  sometimes 
intimated,  when  the  cloud  of  war  was  gathering  in  black 
ness  and  fury  in  the  horizon,  and  the  wisest  and  best 
men  of  the  nation  were  seeking  some  basis  of  compro 
mise,  that  the  ancient  and  powerful  order  of  "  Free  Ma 
sonry"  formed  in  itself  a  bond  of  union  between  north 
and  south  that  no  power  could  break  or  destroy.  But 
the  madness  which  seized  the  "  chivalry,"  so  perverted 
all  their  principles  of  honor  and  obligations  of  fellow 
ship  that  they  repudiated  their  brethren,  and  declared 
against  affiliation  with  either  lodges  or  members  of  the 
order  beyond  their  own  circumscribed  boundary. 

In  New  Orleans  there  are  a  number  of  lodges,  and 


172  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  bond  of  union.  Unmasonic  conduct. 

the  customary  card  of  invitation  to  strangers  was  before 
the  eye  of  the  public,  when  a  couple  of  our  officers  be 
longing  to  a  regiment  stationed  here,  concluded  to  seek 
admission,  being  members  in  high  standing,  and  eli 
gible  to  enter  the  portals  of  any  lodge  room  in  the  world. 
They  were  refused  admission,  solely,  as  may  be  conjec 
tured,  on  the  ground  of  their  uniform ;  when  if  they  had 
been  dressed  in  rebel  gray,  and  belonged  to  the  army  of 
Jeff.  Davis,  no  doubt  they  would  have  met  with  a  warm 
welcome. 

All  who  look  at  a  transaction  of  this  kind  from  the 
proper  stand-point  must  see  that  such  unmasonic  con 
duct  by  the  free  masons  of  this  city  is  a  significant  straw, 
which  shows  which  way  the  wind  blows.  Non-inter 
course  is  their  policy  as  far  as  they  can,  and  as  long  as 
possible,  with  those  who  have  taken  any  part  in  vindi 
cating  the  honor  of  their  nation's  flag. 

If  any  human  obligation  can  be  stronger  or  more 
sacred  than  that  just  referred  to,  it  is  the  common  im 
pulse  and  holy  bond  of  the  religion  of  Christ ;  but  this 
has  been  trampled  upon  as  recklessly  as  the  other.  Fre 
quently  they  leave  the  house  of  God,  because  the  minister 
officiating  followed  in  prayer  the  requirements  of  the 
Divine  word,  and  remembered  at  the  throne  of  grace 
"all  in  authority."  .  At  other  times  they  evince  their 
contempt,  if  a  pious  soldier  is  called  on  to  lead  in  prayer, 
or  rises  to  relate  his  Christian  experience. 

I  have  known  parents  to  encourage  their  children  to 
destroy  our  Sabbath  School  library-books  and  papers, 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       173 

Books  destroyed.  Poverty  and  pro-slavery  prejudices. 

because  they  were  supposed  to  contain  something  on  the 
subject  of  slavery,  or  against  that  institution.  They 
have  also  destroyed  religious  tracts,  books,  and  papers, 
because  they  had  a  picture  of  our  starry  banner  printed 
on  the  cover. 

It  struck  me  as  a  very  remarkable  fact,  that  many  of 
the  poorer  people,  who  never  owned  a  slave,  were  among 
the  most  rabid  pro-slavery  secessionists.  They  are  so 
ignorant  and  deluded,  it  has  not  entered  their  mind  that 
slavery  has  kept  them  poor  and  in  a  degraded  condition  ; 
that  by  this  system  they  have  been  placed  at  a  serious 
disadvantage  in  all  the  relations  of  life ;  and  that  the 
rich  owner  of  men  and  women  looks  down  upon  them 
as  only  a  little  removed  from  the  negro  in  point  of  social 
condition,  and  to  be  used  as  the  colored  slaves  are,  for 
the  exclusive  benefit  of  the  wealthy. 

And  yet  these  poor  whites,  of  their  own  free  will  and 
accord,  defend  slavery,  thereby  increasing  the  causes 
which  have  made  and  which  keep  them  dependent. 

Let  slavery  be  swept  away,  and  their  greatest  disabil 
ity — their  worst  enemy  is  removed.  Then  a  chance  will 
be  opened  to  them  for  improvement  and  social  elevation, 
which  will  result  in  self-respect,  enterprise,  and  a  larger 
equality. 

Another  "  straw"  which  indicates  the  tendency  of  the 
times  here,  is  the  prominence  and  popularity  given  to 
such  papers  as  the  "  New  York  News,"  "  The  World," 
and  other  northern  sheets  that  have  earned  a  "  bad  pre 
eminence"  by  their  opposition  to  the  general  government. 

15  * 


174  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Rebel  editors.  Effect  of  news. 

These  papers  have  done  us  more  harm,  by  misrepresenta 
tions  of  the  state  of  affairs  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
have  given  more  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemy  than  can 
be  estimated. 

Even  the  officers  and  privates  of  our  army  are  often 
led  astray  by  their  wholesale  lies  and  secret  inuendoes, 
and  sometimes  have  wavered  for  a  time  in  their  faith,  as 
it  regards  final  success  and  the  triumph  of  the  principles 
of  right  over  foul  and  cruel  wrong,  by  such  teaching. 

I  think  the  editors  of  such  papers,  with  their  fellow- 
traitors  at  Richmond  and  elsewhere,  have  richly  earned 
the  nation's  reprobation,  and  when  mercy  asserts  her 
sway,  they  ought  to  be  among  the  exceptions,  and  either 
patronize  a  piece  of  hemp,  or  go  to  some  penitentiary  for 
the  balance  of  their  natural  lives. 

In  case  of  a  slight  reverse  to  our  arms  at  any  point 
on  the  wide  theatre  of  war,  these  disloyal  people  are  the 
first  to  smell  it  out  and  magnify  our  losses,  while  their 
countenances  express  the  highest  exultation  over  their 
own  success. 

It  is  a  hard  discipline  for  loyal  men  who  live  in  the 
midst  of  traitors  to  remain  quiet  and  hopeful  while  their 
enemies  sneer  at  them  and  rejoice  over  temporary  advan 
tages  gained  in  their  unholy  cause.  At  such  moments, 
what  aggravates  the  case,  is  an  increasing  insolence,  and 
more  bold  defiance  in  their  bearing  toward  our  army  of 
ficers  and  the  boys  in  blue. 

Under  such  circumstances,  it  is  really  terrible  to  con 
template  their  infatuation.  What  are  they  seeking?  To 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  175 

Desperation.  Glorious  tidings. 

what  lengths  are  they  determined  to  proceed  ?  Despot 
ism,  desperation,  death,  rather  than  defeat  and  the  bless 
ings  of  a  free  government !  Bondage  entailed  on  mil 
lions,  and  a  tremendous  per  centage  of  the  class  doomed 
to  hopeless  slavery,  their  own  offspring !  A  corner-stone 
for  their  fabric  of  nationality,  of  groans,  tears,  and  un 
utterable,  indescribable  woe !  This  is  secession. 

If  the  news  of  our  reverses  lit  up  the  countenances 
of  secessionists  in  New  Orleans,  tidings  of  victory  to 
the  Union  army  was  always  a  bitter  pill.  One  day  a 
news-boy  was  hurrying  along  with  his  extras,  crying  out 
the  thrilling  news  of  the  capture  of  Atlanta ;  while  pass 
ing  three  merchants,  they  ordered  him  to  "  dry  up,"  and 
just  at  the  instant,  Lieutenant  Eddy,  son  of  Ex-Gover 
nor  Eddy,  of  Rhode  Island  happened  to  be  within  hear 
ing.  He  immediately  exclaimed  "Shoot  those  three 
rebels !"  when  all  three  in  an  instant  retreated  out  of 
range,  and  took  good  care  to  "  dry  up"  themselves,  and 
keep  in  the  back -ground  for  a  time. 

They  tried  to  disbelieve,  as  successive  dispatches  came 
in,  recounting  our  successes  and  the  evident  caving  in  of 
the  rebellion,  and  to  the  very  last  persisted  in  hoping 
their  dark  cause  would  prevail.  It  must  have  been  that 
they  were  given  over  to  a  reprobate  mind  to  believe  a 
lie  and  to  reap  what  they  had  sown  ;  for  no  intelligent 
mind  with  the  Bible  and  its  revealed  God  before  him 
could  see  wherein,  or  how,  consistently  with  the  charac 
ter  of  that  great  Being,  and  in  a  manner  harmonizing 
with  his  attributes  of  justice  and  righteousness,  a  cause 


176  LIFE   IN  THE  AKMY. 

Retribution  for  the  oppressor. 

founded  on  such  iniquity  could  flourish  or  succeed.  He 
has  declared  "  The  day  of  vengeance  is  in  mine  heart, 
and  the  year  of  my  redeemed  is  come."  Let  the  slave 
holder,  therefore  tremble ;  for  retribution  is  before  him ; 
and  let  the  oppressed  rejoice :  for  with  a  strong  hand, 
and  a  mighty  arm  hath  the  Lord  set  them  free. 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.  177 


Wheat  among  tares.  Honored  names. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

OBSERVATIONS  •  CONTINUED. 

UNION  MEN  IN  NEW  ORLEANS— STATE  CONVENTION  — LEGISLATURE- 
HOW  I  RECEIVED  NINETY  DOLLARS  FOR  ONE  PRAYER— LOYAL  LADIES 
—DELIVERANCE  FROM  REBEL  MISRULE— A  MINISTER  BIDS  HIS  SLAVES 
GO  FREE !— A  BRIGHTER  DAY  AT  HAND. 

IT  affords  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  turn  over  a  new 
leaf  in  my  narrative,  and  make  memorial  of  the  fact  that 
pure  patriotism  has  existed,  and  still  lives  in  this  city, 
in  the  midst  of  an  overwhelming  tendency  to  disloyalty. 
A  few  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  and  through  all  its  varying  fortunes,  have  been 
found  true  to  the  Union. 

The  arrival  of  the  Federal  fleet  and  armies,  was,  to 
this  class  of  persons  a  "great  salvation,"  and  the  pre 
sence  of  those  who  "  rally  round  the  flag"  in  their  be 
loved  city,  is  to  them  a  matter  of  sincerest  joy.  Like 
an  oasis  in  the  desert  is  the  smile  of  their  face  and 
friendly  grasp,  where  scowling  treason,  and  bitter  hatred 
meets  the  northern  man. 

Among  the  number  who  composed  th«  State  Conven 
tion  which  passed  the  emancipation  act,  we  find  these 
prominent  and  fearless  champions  of  the  right ;  and  in 
the  Legislature,  now  in  session,  such  honored  names 
as  E.  K.  Ho  well,  Judge  Durell,  T.  J.  Durant,  and  men 


178  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

$90  for  one  prayer.  Suffering  for  the  right.  "  A  bad  egg." 

of  their  stripe,  are  standing  up  boldly  and  bravely,  to 
remodel  the  whole  structure  of  society,  and  carry  out 
the  provisions  of  the  new  Constitution,  in  its  require 
ments  bearing  on  human  liberty  and  a  just  recognition 
of  the  rights  of  all. 

The  Legislature  of  Louisiana  appropriated  one  thou 
sand  dollars  to  pay  the  ministers  for  opening  the  ses 
sions  with  prayer,  and  I  received  ninety  dollars  as  my 
portion.  I  might  add  that  I  was  never  paid  before >or 
since  so  well  for  offering  one  prayer. 

The  triumph  of  the  government,  and  the  utter  subju 
gation  and  overthrow  of  the  rebellion,  will  be  to  the 
Union  people  of  New  Orleans  the  dawn  of  a  glorious 
era.  They  have  been  taunted,  mocked,  imprisoned,  and 
persecuted  without  mercy.  Some  have  *lost  property, 
and  not  a  few  have  sacrificed  their  all  in  allegiance  to 
their  country,  during  the  dark  days  of  rebel  misrule. 
"What  a  victory  it  will  be  to  them  when  the  accursed 
Confederacy  and  all  its  allies  and  supporters  are  buried 
in  the  last  and  deej&st  ditch  that  can  be  dug  for  them, 
and  where  they  will  never  have  a  resurrection ! 

These  loyal  citizens  have  been  just  as  largely  inter- 
terested  in,  and  benefited  by  slavery  as  any  others,  and 
vastly  more  so  than  thousands  of  the  foolish  humbugs 
who  have  taken  up  arms  against  their  flag ;  but,  from  the 
firing  of  the  first  gun,  they  have  had  common  sense 
enough  to  see  that  the  "peculiar  institution"  was  doomed, 
and  that  slavery — as  the  boys  would  say — was  a  "  bad 
egg."  They  rejoice  with  us  that  an  eternal  quietus  is 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.     -  179 

God  in  history.  Southern  patriots. 

about  to  be  given  to  the  "vexed  question,"  and  are 
rapidly  adapting  themselves  to  the  new  order  of  things, 
which  has  recently  taken  place  in  the  State  of  Louisiana, 
Nay,  more,  they  heartily  wish  that  the  course  pursued 
here  may  be  imitated  elsewhere,  and  everywhere  through 
out  the  South,  until  the  whole  nation,  and  even  the 
entire  American  Continent  shall  be  the  home  of  uni 
versal  freedom. 

"  God  moves,"  the  poet  says,  "  in  a  mysterious  way, 
his  wonders  to  perform,"  and  out  of  the  mystery  of 
iniquity,  in  this  case,  he  has  brought  forth  such  "won 
ders,"  as  proclaim  his  hand,  and  reveal  his  power,  and 
wisdom,  and  goodness,  too,  in  the  overthrow  of  this 
great  wrong  and  sin  in  this  land. 

Soon  we  can  sing,  and  say,  "  Hail  Columbia !"  with 
out  the  remembrance  of  that  sad  and  harrowing  history 
of  chains  and 'fetters  which  has  been  clanking  their  dis 
cord  so  long. 

On  the  memorable  day  when  the  city  capitulated  to 
General  Butler,  and  the  dear  old  flag  was  again  spread 
to  the  sunlight,  from  the  topmost  elevation  of  the  public 
buildings,  a  certain  gentleman,  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
called  all  his  slaves  around  him  and  said,  "  You  are  all 
free  now,  and  I  thank  God  for  it."  Like  a  sensible, 
Christian  man,  he  read  the  determination  of  events,  and 
accepted  the  issue  under  the  providence  of  God.  He 
saw  plainly  that  with  the  success  of  the  armies  of  the 
Union,  slavery  became  a  dead  lelter,  and  must  go  down 
to  the  shades  of  oblivion.  The  conviction  and  hope 


180  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY, 

Slaves  set  free.  A  good  time  coming. 

among  these  Southern  patriots,  is,  that  with  the  removal 
of  this  curse,  their  fair  and  fertile  land  will  rise  to  a  de 
gree  of  greatness,  power,  and  prosperity,  far  beyond  any 
thing  recorded  in  her  former  history.  With  the  passing 
away  of  darkness  will  break  a  morning  of  light  and  a 
day  of  joy.  Barbarism  will  yield  to  humane  laws,  and 
ignorance  will  be  replaced  with  the  spread  of  knowledge, 
and  the  foundations  of  society,  instead  of  idleness  and 
vice,  will  find  a  firm  basis  on  the  eternal  rock  of  truth 
and  freedom. 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  181 


Obsequiousness  to  Rebels.  Corrupt  officials. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED* 

•  UNMANLY  SUBSERVIENCY  TO  REBELS— FAITHLESS  OFFICIALS— CORRUP 
TION  OF  PARTIES  IN  POWER— UNION  MEN  NEGLECTED— GENERAL 
CANBY— PROSPECT  OF  CORRECTING  ABUSES.  6 

CONSIDERATION  shown  to  a  vanquished  foe,  when  it 
springs  from  pure  and  lofty  motives,  is  noble  and  com 
mendable;  but  to  see  union  men,  who  are  identified  with 
the  purest  cause,  in  defense  of  which  the  sword  was  ever 
drawn,  doing  all  in  their  power  to  obtain  a  nod  of  recog 
nition  from  some  haughty  rebel,  who  has  only  been  able 
to  retain  his  wealth  by  adding  perjury  to  treason,  is 
indeed  heart-sickening  to  an  independent  and  honorable 
man.  Yet  in  this  city  such  a  thing  is  almost  of  every 
day  occurrence.  Within  the  inner-chambers  of  certain 
officers,  in  the  military  and  civil  departments  connected 
with  the  government  of  the  United  States,  scenes  are 
enacted  which  ought  to  make  those  subordinates,  clothed 
with  a  little  brief  authority,  blush  for  their  manliness. 

Even  those  of  higher  grade,  to  whom  we  might  rea 
sonably  look  for  firmness,  competency,  and  unbending 
loyalty,  are  often  found  uniting  in  an  unholy  alliance 
with  the  former,  to  promote  the  interests  and  shield  the 
persons  of  notorious  rebels,  by  procuring  for  them  lucra- 

16 


182  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Rebels  in  office.  Spoils  divided. 

tive  offices  and  profitable  contracts,  while  the  modest 
applications  of  true  union  men  for  office  or  employment 
are  treated  with  supercilious  neglect,  and  totally  disre 
garded.  Is  this  right?  is  it  just?  In  imagination  I 
seem  to  hear  the  united  voice  of  millions  of  true-hearted 
men,  in  thunder-tones,  answer — No! 

There  are  at  the  present  time  in  this  city  well-known 
persons,  who  have  been  in  the  rebel  army,  who  are 
making  immense  sums  of  money  out  of  positions  given 
them  under  the  government.  , 

I  have  been  informed  that  some  of  these  office-holders 
were  imprisoned  by  General  Butler  for  their  open,  undis 
guised  treason,  but  released  by  the  authorities  subse 
quently,  and  actually  admitted  to  intimacy  and  fellowship 
with  certain  parties  high  in  power,  who  have  strangely 
overlooked  their  duty  in  elevating  such  persons  to  the 
dignity  and  responsibilities  of  a  ^hare  in  the  government 
they  tried  to  rend  and  destroy.  Verily,  "Consistency, 
thou  art  a  jewel."  It  is  strongly  suspected  that  some 
of  our  government  officials  favor  these  men  with  the 
understanding  that  they  pocket  a  large  per-centage  of 
their  gains.  Under  such  a  state  of  affairs  good  men  have 
but  smaU  chance  for  justice.  If  they  make  complaints 
they  endanger  their  own  liberty,  property,  and  even  life, 
and  consequently  must  endure,  in  silence  and  sadness, 
the  rule  of  unrighteousness,  hoping  for  better  days. 

General  Canby,  who  has  recently  assumed  command 
of  this  department,  is  a  man  who  will  look  sharply  into 
these  abuses,  and,  with  a  strong  and  impartial  hand, 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  183 

General  Canby.  A  reckoning. 

correct  those  which  are  known  to  exist.  Under  his 
administration  there  is  a  prospect  of  securing  right  and 
justice  to  all,  and  of  bringing  the  guilty  to  merited 
punishment. 


184  LIFE  IN   THE  ARMY. 


Coffee-houses.  A  Major  nonplussed. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

•  OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

SCENES  AND  INCIDENTS— COFFEE-HOUSES— A  DISAPPOINTED  MAJOR— A 
WOODEN-LEGGED  HERO,  AND  ONE-ARMED  "REB"— A  LOST  BOY  TURNS 
UP— OPINION  OF  AN  EX-SLAVEHOLDER— THE  PATRIOTISM  OF  A  COLOR 
SERGE  ANT— SACRIFICES  FOR  COUNTRY—"  THE  WRONG  BOAT"— ALGIERS 
M.  E.  CHURCH— SUNDAY  SCHOOL. 

"  COFFEE-HOUSES,"  as  I  have  heretofore  stated,  abound 
in  this  city,  but  the  kind  of  beverage  furnished  on  de 
mand  within  their  precincts,  is  not  invariably  the  extract 
of  "  Rio."  A  Major  of  our  army,  one  day,  attracted  by 
the  sign,  walked  into  one  of  these  places,  and  ordered  a 
cup  of  coffee.  The  proprietor,  a  genuine  .Dutchman, 
replied  that  he  could  give  him  a  glass  of  whisky,  but  the 
other  article  was  not  in  his  line.  The  Major  looked  him 
sternly  in  the  eye,  and  inquired,  "  Is  ifot  this  a  coffee 
house  ?"  The  Teuton  said  that  was  only  its  name,  the 
real  intent  being  a  place  to  obtain  "  bitters,"  "  slings," 
"  cocktails,"  and  "  mint-juleps." 

The  Major,  thus  enlightened,  took  his  departure,  a 
wiser  man,  not  knowing  before,  that  all  the  whisky 
shops,  even  down  to  the  lowest  hell-hole,  adopt  the 
decent  name  and  character  of  a  "  Coffee-house." 

Instances  of  true  heroism  among  our  private  soldiers 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       185 

A  wooden-legged  hero.  The  lost  boy  found. 

have  not  been  rare.  T  saw  one  of  these  veterans  one 
day  engaged  in  an  exciting  dispute  with  a  returned  rebel 
soldier.  The  Federal  had  a  wooden  leg,  and  the  other 
an  empty  sleeve.  I  suppose  they  had  been  comparing 
notes,  and  split  on  the  merits  of  the  main  question.  The 
man  with  but  one  leg,  was  holding  forth  in  an  eloquent, 
patriotic  strain,  and  said,  "  Yes,  Sir,  I  lost  that  leg  in 
fighting  for  my  country,  a  glorious  cause,  no  need  to  be 
ashamed  of  a  wooden  leg,  in  place  of  the  old  one  shot 
away.  Yes,  I  am  willing  to  fight  on  until  the  other  one 
goes,  and  then  my  right  arm,  and  after  that  my  left  arm, 

and  will  give  my  life,  if  necessary,  to  crush  this  d d 

rebellion." 

The  "  Reb"  was  silenced,  and  slunk  away,  apparently 
ashamed  that  the  scar  he  bore  was  not  an  honorable  one, 
but  would  be  to  him  and  his  posterity  a  lasting  disgrace. 

In  the  hospital  I  had  charge  of,  the?e  was  a  little 
English  boy,  who  ran  away,  from  his  home  in  Canada, 
soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities.  His  parents, 
not  hearing  from  him  for  a  long  period,  and  having  no 
knowledge  where  he  had  gone,  gave  him  up  as  lost. 
News  was  sent  to  them  of  his  whereabouts,  to  their  great 
delight.  He  had  been  in  our  army,  and  unlike  many  of 
his  countrymen,  who  did  all  they  could  to  widen  the 
breach,  and  encourage  the  rebellion,  he  espoused  our 
cause,  and  gave  all  his  service  for  the  honor  of  his  adopted 
country's  flag,  and  the  putting  down  of  this  wicked  re 
sistance  to  the  government. 

I  listened  to  a  conversation  one  day,  between  two  ex- 

16* 


186  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Opinion  of  ex-slaveholders.  The  color-sergeant. 

slaveholders,  on  the  state  of  the  country.  One  of  them 
remarked  to  the  other,  that  the  time  would  come,  in  the 
history  of  Louisiana,  when  her  soil  would  be  tilled  by 
more  than  ten  thousand  Irishmen,  and  that  he  believed 
the  free-labor  system  would  bring  about  a  degree  of  un 
exampled  greatness  and  prosperity,  when  it  should  be  in 
troduced  and  generally  adopted. 

This  man  entertained  a  correct  view  of  the  situation, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  at  all,  but  it  will  be  more  than 
realized,  if  events  are  allowed  to  pursue  their  pathway, 
unobstructed  by  sectional  prejudice,  or  that  narrow  po 
licy,  which  sometimes,  as  the  adage  says,  "  cuts  off  one's 
nose  to  spite  the  face." 

Benjamin  Franklin  Walls  was  color-sergeant  of  the 
Fifty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  was  for  several 
weeks  a  patient  in  the  St.  James'  Hospital.  He  had 
been  in  the  field  nearly  three  years,  having  joined  our 
forces  from  Cumberland  Valley,  Pa.,  his  native  place. 
He  brought  in  forty  men,  recruited  through  his  influ 
ence  when  he  enlisted.  This  entitled  him  to  a  captaincy, 
but  he  declined  that  position,  declaring  that  he  aspired 
to  no  higher  honor  than  to  carry  the  flag  of  his  country, 
for  which  his  father  fought  before  him  in  the  last  war 
with  England.  The  honor  was  cheerfully  conferred  on 
him,  and  through  six  severe  battles  he  bore  it  in  tri 
umph  and  with  alacrity,  although  he  was  over  sixty 
years  of  age.  While  he  was  in  the  Hospital  the  sur 
geon  offered  to  procure  for  him  an  honorable  discharge, 
in  view  t>f  his  sickness  and  advanced  a*ge.  This  he 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  187 

Sons  of  Pennsylvania.  Algiers  M.  E.  Church. 

refused  to  accept,  preferring  to  return  with  his  brave 
comrades  in  arms  at  the  end  of  the  war,  and  bear  his 
beloved  banner  back  untarnished  to  the  Keystone  State. 
Pennsylvania  may  justly  feel  proud  of  such  a  son ;  yet 
he  is  but  the  type  of  thousands,  who  for  the  integrity 
and  unity  of  this  great  nation  gave  up  lucrative  employ 
ments,  bid  adieu  to  home  comforts,  and  bravely  fought, 
and  many  of  them  alas !  nobly  fell  with  their  face  to  the 
foe.  Sergeant  Walls  was  worth  when  he  entered  the 
service  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  but  pa 
triotism  was  with  him  a  stronger  passion  than  the  pur 
suit  or  care  of  wealth.  May  he,  and  all  who  like  him 
have  given  such  evidence  of  devotion  to  the  stars  and 
stripes  be  spared  to  a  green  and  happy  old  age,  and 
dying  at  last, 

"  As  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest," 

may  they  find  a  rich  reward  in  the  bosom  of  their 
God. 

On  account  of  the  scarcity  of  Union  ministers  in  the 
city  and  its  surroundings,  I  had  to  take  pastoral  charge 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  in  Algiers,  just  across  the  river 
from  New  Orleans.  The  duties  involved  in  this  charge, 
added  to  those  connected  with  my  Hospital,  made  my 
life  a  somewhat  busy  one.  Hundreds  of  times  I  have 
crossed  the  Mississippi  in  going  to  and  from  my  churph. 
Most  of  the  people  among  whom  I  mingled  being  in 
bitter  hostility  to  the  Union,  my  experience  was  a  varied 


188  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Votaries  of  Satan.  Sunday-school  children. 

one.  Between  insults,  provocation,  and  not  unfrequently 
amusing  incidents,  I  tried  to  discharge  with  fidelity  the 
trust  committed  to  my  care.  During  an  extra  meeting 
I  held  there,  large  numbers  of  secessionists  attended. 
Some  of  them  had  the  assurance  to  walk  up  and  take  the 
front  seats  in  the  church,  refusing  to  kneel  in  time  of 
prayer,  besides  disturbing  the  meeting  by  laughing  and 
talking.  This  did  not  continue  very  long  before  they 
found  out  that  they  were  "  aboard  of  the  wrong  boat." 
I  compelled  them  not  only  to  behave  with  becoming 
decorum,  but  also  to  conform  to  our  usage  by  kneeling 
during  prayer,  or  else  leave  the  -church.  I  could  not 
reconcile  it  with  my  sense  of  the  fitness  of  things  to  allow 
these  votaries  of  Jeif.  Davis  and  zealous  friends  of  his 
arch  instigator  with  the  horns  and  cloven  foot  from 
below,  to  disturb  and  interrupt  loyal  people  while  wor 
shipping  the  living  God. 

My  relation  as  Sunday  School  Superintendent  was 
quite  interesting  and  pleasant,  as  but  few  of  the  children 
in  attendance  manifested  a  spirit  of  stubborn  disloyalty. 
When  I  referred  to  subjects  connected  with  the  war  for 
the  Union,  and  required  obedience  to  the  "powers  that 
be,"  it  did  not  seem  to  oifend  them,  thus  showing  that 
they  had  better  sense  and  more  love  of  country,  than 
their  parents. 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.  189 


Methodist  soldiers.  Men  of  prayer. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

METHODIST  SOLDIERS—  TESTIMONY  TO  THEIR  RELIGIOUS  ZEAL—  THE 
SOURCE  OF  POWER—  A  PREMIUM  ON  DISLOYALTY  —  CONTRABAND 
TRAFFIC—  BACK-DOOR  BUSINESS—  SCENE  IN  A  CHURCH. 


my  term  of  service  as  Chaplain  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  I  found  it  invariably  the  case  that  the 
soldiers  on  whom  I  could  rely  with  most  confidence  for 
help  in  carrying  on  prayer-meetings,  were  mostly  mem 
bers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  not  a  few 
Chaplains  of  other  denominations  have  admitted  the 
same  thing  to  be  true  in  their  experience.  I  have  also 
been  told  by  agents  of.  the  Christian  Commission  that 
the  Methodist  soldiers  were  of  more  practical  service  to 
them  in  their  religious  operations  than  any,  and  all  others 
combined.  Hospital  Chaplains,  also,  have  stated  to  me 
the  same  fact.  The  reason  of  this,  evidently  is,  that  it 
forms  a  prominent  part  of  the  teaching  and  training  of 
this  Church,  to  make  all  its  members  do  their  own  pray 
ing,  and  not  rely  on  those  of  others  —  even  the  minister, 
for  help  in  the  time  of  need.  Learning  thus  to  pray  at 
home,  they  find  it  easy  to  pray  abroad,  to  pray  anywhere, 
and  to  "  pray  without  ceasing." 

Every  Church,  I  think  should  aim,  to  stir  -up  the  gifts 


190  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Source  of  power.  Cheering  facts. 

and  bring  out  the  talents  of  all  its  members,  in  the  man 
ner  peculiar  to  Methodism,  and  then  there  would  be 
more  useful  Christians  in  the  world.  The  "burning 
and  .shining  lights"  would  appear  everywhere,  flashing 
condemnation  in  the  face  of  all  sin,  and  showing  wander 
ers  the  path  to  heaven. 

Many,  I  might  say,  most  of  those  now  in  the  ranks 
of  the  Methodist  ministry,  men  of  acknowledged  talent 
and  power,  were  it  not  for  the  active  system  of  mutual 
labor  to  which  they  were  inured  when  young  in  the 
kingdom,  would  to-day  be  in  the  back  ground,  and  per 
haps  not  on  "  the  walls  of  Zion,"  proclaiming  salvation. 

Everything  appertaining  to  the  welfare  and  honor  of 
this  denomination,  of  which  I  am  happy  to  be  a  member 
and  minister,  is  of  deepest  interest  to  me.  Hence  the 
facts  I  have  gathered,  and  here  record  as  a  memorial  of 
worth,  energy,  and  spirituality,  according  to  the  testi 
mony  from  many  sources  of  our  God-appointed  Metho 
dism.  No  other  Church  in  this  land  has  been  taxed  so 
heavily  for  soldiers  to  recruit  the  ranks  of  our  armies, 
and  yet,  no  other  Church  has  been  so  studiously  over 
looked,  or  neglected,  in  the  bestowment  of  government 
patronage.  The  Episcopal,  and  Roman  Catholic 
Churches,  known  to  be  less  loyal,  seem  to  have  far  more 
influence  at  head-quarters,  in  securing  good  positions  for 
their  members  as  officers  and  Chaplains,  than  any  other. 
This  would  seem  to  put  a  premium  on  disloyalty,  and 
reward  the  lukewarm,  while  the  earnest  and  faithful, 
who  have  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  war,  are  left 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  191 

Contraband  trade.  Indignant  rebels. 

to  feel  aggrieved  if  they  choose,  or  take  what  others  may 
relinquish,  in  the  way  of  subordinate  appointments. 
On  history,  mainly,  however,  we  must  rely  for  the  jus 
tice  which,  I  feel  free  to  say,  has  not  been  meted  out 
to  us.  Posterity  will  duly  estimate  our  claims,  and  not 
let  the  remembrance  of  our  labors  perish. 

Many  attempts  have  been  made  on  the  part  of  the 
government  to  stop  contraband  trading  with  the  enemy, 
but  thus  far  without  success :  for,  as  the  business  is  car 
ried  on  in  an  indirect  way  on  the  back-door  principle, 
and  the  gains  on  cotton  and  tobacco  are  considerable, 
money  outweighs  patriotism,  and  the  love  of  it,  with 
many,  is  a  stronger  passion  than  either  honor,  fear,  or 
loyalty.  It  is  strongly  suspected  that  this  extensive  in 
tercourse  with  the  rebels  would  not,  or  could  not  be  car 
ried  on  successfully,  were  it  not  that  many  in  the  employ 
of  the  government,  in  a  secret  way  give  encouragement 
to  those  known  to  be  engaged  in  this  species  of  trade  by 
shielding  them  from  arrest,  and  sharing  in  the  profits, 
which  are  extraordinary,  on  the  capital  invested. 

During  my  pastorate  at  Algiers,  an  incident  occurred, 
quite  in  character  with  the  general  spirit  of  the  leading 
citizens.  On  a  certain  Sabbath^  morning,  after  preaching 
in  the  M.  E.  Church,  a  colored  child  was  brought  for 
ward  for  baptism.  When  the  minister  began  the  cere 
mony,  three  of  the  male  members  arose,  and  in  a  very 
abrupt  and  insulting  manner  left  the  house,  declaring 
they  would  never  enter  its  door  again.  The  subject  for 
baptism  was  certainly  a  proper  one,  and  the  rite  was 


192  LIFE  IN  THE  AKMY. 

Scene  in  church. 

administered  with  all  due  decency  and  solemnity,  but 
these  hot-headed  followers  of  Jesus  (!)  were  offended, 
like  the  mistaken  disciples  of  old,  their  chief  cause  of 
complaint  was  the  undue  prominence  given  to  a  mere 
"nigger."  Can  such  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven? 
One  of  the  three  repented  of  his  folly  and  returned — 
the  other  two  hold  out  faithful  to  "  southern  rights," 
and  doubtless  are  still  on  the  road  to  the  Devil. 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       193 


St.  James'  hospital.  Capacity  for  patients. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

OBSERVATIONS    CONTINUED. 

OFFICERS'  GENERAL  HOSPITAL  — ST.  JAMES'  HOTEL— CAPACITY— SUR 
GEONS— EXPERIENCE  WITH  THE  SICK  AND  WOUNDED— TESTIMONY 
OF  THE  DYING— CAPTAIN  YOUNG,  &c.— CHAPLAINS. 

THE  hospital  to  which  I  have  occasion  so  frequently 
to  refer,  called  St.  James',  and  in  which  my  duties  chiefly 
lay,  was  devoted  to  officers,  and  very  finely  arranged  and 
located  for  the  purpose  to  which  it  was  devoted  by  the 
military  authorities.  Before  the  war  it  was  used  as  a 
first  class  hotel.  It  stands  on  Magazine  St.,  in  the  busi 
ness  portion  of  the  city,  and  contains  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  lodging-rooms,  with  ample  parlor  accommo 
dations.  It  is  five  stories  high,  with  ornamental  front, 
and  very  imposing  appearance.  The  government  pays 
ten  thousand  dollars  a  year  for  the  use  of  it.  This  offi 
cers'  general  hospital  is  under  the  charge  of  Surgeon  S. 
M.  Horton,  of  the  regular  army.  He  is  a  Pennsylva- 
nian,  and  the  old  Keystone  commonwealth  has  no  reason 
to  be  ashamed  of  him.  He  is  not  only  an  honor  to  his 
native  State,  but  to  the  entire  country.  His  assistants 
are  Dr.  H.  C.  Heilner  and  Dr.  S.  Catlin.  The  former 
is  also  a  Pennsylvania!!,  and  is  a  young  man  of  great 
promise,  reflecting  honor  on  the  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
17 


194  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

Scenes  with  the  sick.  Triumphant  deaths. 

lege,  where  he  graduated  quite  young,  and  with  very 
marked  distinction.  Dr.  Catlin  is  a  man  of  fine  ability, 
and  stands  deservedly  high  in  his  profession.  With 
these  three  gentlemen  I  was  happy  to  be  associated,  and 
cannot  forget  the  kind  consideration  extended  to  me  by 
each  to  facilitate  the  .performance  of  my  duties. 

Many  of  the  inmates  of  this  establishment  were  men 
of  refined  intelligence  and  high  position  both  in  civil 
and  military  life.  Broken  down  in  health,  or  severely 
wounded  in  battle,  they  were  brought  here  for  care  and 
treatment,  and  made  as  comfortable  as  possible  under  the 
circumstances.  Some  within  these  walls  exchanged  earth 
for  heaven.  I  have  witnessed  many  scenes  of  holy  tri 
umph  among  them  in  the  dying  hour.  Christianity  is  a 
soul-satisfying  portion,  when  "  sickness,  sorrow,  pain,  or 
death"  is  felt  and  realized.  I  will  attempt  to  recal  a  few 
particulars  in  relation  to  those  on  whom  I  was  permitted 
and  privileged  to  attend  in»  their  last  hours. 

Captain  William  E.  Young  was  the  son  of  ex-Gover 
nor  Young,  of  New  York.  He  belonged  to  the  corps 
of  topographical  engineers,  and  was  on  the  staff  of  Gen 
eral  Bunks.  He  was  not  only  a  skilful  officer,  and  highly 
valuable  in  the  branch  of  service  to  which  he  was  at 
tached,  but  wras  brave  and  adventurous  wherever  the 
post  of  duty  and  danger  was  found.  He  never  seemed 
to  calculate  results  of  exposure  in  undertakings  of  great 
peril.  At  the  battle  of  Cane  Ewer,  he  volunteered  to 
convey  despatches  of  an  important  character  to  a  par 
ticular  point,  and  in  the  performance  of  this  duty  was 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       195 

• 

Chaplains  among  the  sick.  Joyful  experience. 

frightfully  wounded.  Pie  lingered  about  five  weeks,  and 
was  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  faculties  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  took  a  decided  interest  in  reli 
gious  exercises,  and  professed  conversion  to  God  while  I 
was  engaged  in  singing  and  prayer  with  him.  For  five 
weeks  I  visited  him  every  day,  and  always  found  him  in 
a  happy  frame  of  mind,  relying  on  God,  through  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  acceptance  and  salvation. 
Frequently  I  have  known  him  to  break  forth  in  songs 
of  praise  and  holy  joy.  He  had  no  fear  of  dying,  and 
as  the.  hour  approached,  he  said  to  me,  "Chaplain,  tell 
my  mother  that  God  is  with  me."  This  was  his  last 
message  to  his  mother,  who  no  doubt  will  derive  comfort 
from  the  knowledge  that,  although  away  from  home,  her 
son  died  in  the  glorious  hope  of  a  home  in  heaven.  His 
funeral  took  place  from  the  Carondolet  St.  Methodist 
church,  and  was  attended  by  Rev.  Dr.  Xewman  and  sev 
eral  other  prominent  clergymen,  with  myself,  showing 
the  esteem  in  which  this  brave  young  officer  was  held 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

Chaplain  Keely,  of  the  Thirteenth  Maine,  departed 
this  life  on  the  25th  of  June,  1864.  As  the  last  moment 
approached,  a  sweet  smile  of  heavenly  triumph  lit  up  his 
countenance,  and  gave  assurance  to, all  around  that  "he 
feared  no  evil"  in  the  dark  valley.  His  affectionate 
son,  Lieutenant  Keely,  was  by  his  side  day  and  night, 
watching  over  him  with  true  filial  tenderness  as  a  guar 
dian  angel,  until  the  sad  task  alone  remained  to  close  the 
eyes  of  that  beloved  father  in  the  sleep  of  death.  If 


19G  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Libels  on  chaplains.  A  dying  corporal. 

kindness  and  constancy  is  rewarded  on  earth,  that  son 
will  surely  prosper  on  account  of  his  devotion  to  a  sick 
and  dying  father,  who  has  gone  from  labor  to  reward. 

Chaplain  D wyer,  of  the  Second  New  York  Veteran 
Regiment,  died  in  great  peace  on  Wednesday  morning, 
June  -29th,  1864.  He  was  a  very  fine  Christian  gentle 
man,  and  was  very  favorably  known  to  several  of  the 
Chaplains  in  and  around  the  city,  as  a  devoted  servant  of 
God. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  believe  the  libels  of  many 
abusive  and  drunken  Congressmen  and  others  who  have 
from  time  to  time  cast  slurs,  and  sneering  misrepresenta 
tions  upon  the  character,  piety,  and  disinterested  zeal  of 
the  Chaplains;  for  I  have  found  them,  both  in  the  Army' 
of  the  Potomac,  and  in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  to 
be  an  intelligent,  pious,  and  singularly  excellent  and 
faithful  body  of  men ;  serving  God  and  their  generation 
with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory,  and  the  welfare  of  immor 
tal  souls. 

I  have  had  as  many  as  six  Chaplains  under  my  care, 
in  the  Hospital  at  one  time,  and  always  found  them  con 
sistent  and  true  to  their  sacred  calling. 

Corporal  Casey,  of  the  Sixty-seventh  Indiana  Regi 
ment,  is  another  example  of  the  power  of  faith  and  sus 
taining  grace  in  a  dying  hour.  He  had  for  years  been  a 
devoted  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  therefore 
when  he  fell  covered  with  wounds,  he  knew  Him  whom 
he  had  believed,  and  was  resigned  to  the  will  of  the 
Lord.  His  sufferings  were  intense,  but  his  fortitude, 


OBSERVATIONS    IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  197 


Meet  me  in  heaven.'1 


cheerfulness,  and  Christian  hope  never  forsook  him. 
His  last  message  to  his  wife  and  children,  was,  to  meet 
him  in  heaven,  each,  and  all,  in  the  bright  and  happy 
land,  where  pain,  and  parting  tears  shall  come  no  more 
forever.  Oh,  that  my  last  end  may  be  like  his. 

In  conclusion,  I  humbly  thank  God  for  the  degree  of 
success  which  attended  my  labors  in  this  Hospital. 
Many,  very  many,  I  saw  happily  converted,  some  of 
whom  afterwards  died  shouting  victory  through  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb. 
17  * 


198  LIFE   IN   THE   AEMY. 


Grave-yards.  The  Patriot's  cemetery. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

i 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUE!). 

"THE  PATRIOT'S  CEMETERY"  — WISDOM  OF  GENERAL  BUTLER  — MY 
COUSIN  THOMAS  D.  GREGG— CHALMETTE  BATTLE-GROUND—MONU 
MENT  CEMETERY— THE  MANTLE  OF  "OLD  HICKORY "— FARRAGUT 
AND  BUTTER— GOD  FOR  THE  CAUSE  0¥  LIBERTY— THE  SOLDIERS' 
LAST  RESTING-PLACE. 

A  MELANCHOLY  interest  will  ever  linger  round  the 
places  whfre  our  brave  men  lie  buried  in  the  south,  who 
fell  in  battle,  or  wasted  away  in  weary  marches,  and 
gave  their  precious  lives  for  country  and  liberty. 

Nearly  four  thousand  men,  who  once  in  all  the  pride 
of  health  and  patriotism,  stepped  forth  to  the  music  of 
the  Union,  sleep  their  last  sleep  in  Grove  Cemetery  near 
New  Orleans.  This  resting-place  of  the  dead  is  located 
at  Metaire  Ridge,  a  distance  of  three  miles  from  the  city. 
Its  selection  as  a  burying-ground  for  our  soldiers  was 
one  of  those  clear  indications  of  the  excellent  judgment 
General  Butler.  He  had  a  portion  of  the  grounds 
itly  fenced  in,  and  a  magnificent  arch  constructed  over 
entrance,  surmounted  by  an  American  eagle,  and 
-staff  bearing  aloft  the  banner  so  dear  to  the  soldier 
the  Union,  and  wrapped  in  the  folds  of  which  his 
unrades  bore  his  body  to  this  beautiful  spot  for  military 


A  Soldier's  last  resting  place. 


Life  in  the  Army,  p.   198. 


OBSERVATIONS    IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  199 

Thomas  D.  Gregg.  Chalmette  battle-ground. 

interment.  Inscribed  upon  the  arch  may  be  read  in 
legible  characters  "  THE  PATRIOT'S  CEMETERY." 

Within  this  enclosure  rested  for  a  time  the  body  of 
Thomas  D.  Gregg,  a  cousin  to  the  writer.  He  belonged 
to  the  First  Delaware  Battery,  and  was  a  very  promising 
young  man,  possessing  many  noble  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart.  He  owned  a  fine  farm  near  Wilmington,  Dela 
ware,  at  the  time  of  his  death.  This  property  has 
remained  in  our  name  for  over  one  hundred  and  forty 
years.  His  remains  have  been  removed  to  his  native 
home,  and  now  sleep  side  by  side  with  his  parents  and 
friends  near  Wilmington. 

Chalmette  battle-ground  is  celebrated  in  history  as 
being  the  place  where  General  Jackson  defeated  the 
British  under  Gibbs  and  Packenham,  in  1814.  It  is 
located  six  miles  below  the  city,  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
great  river.  Since  the  6th  of  May,  1864,  this  notable 
spot  has  been  chosen  as  a  burying-place  for  our  soldiers, 
by  the  military  authorities,  and  is  now  used  for  this  pur 
pose.  It  is  called  "  Monument  Cemetery."  The  site  is 
all  that  could  be  desired,  both  on  account  of  its  historic 
interest  and  favorable  location.  An  unfinished  monu 
ment  is  erected  there  to  the  memory  of  the  conqueror 
*  and  hero,  General  Jackson. 

The  rebels  had  thrown  up  extensive  breastworks  there, 

intending  to  make  a  stand  against  our  forces  approaching 

'  the  city.     They  were  no  doubt  inspired  with  some  vague 

notion  that  the  spirit  of  the  old  General,  and  the  help  of 

God  might  aid  them  in  keeping  the  Union  army  at  bay 


200  LIFE   IN   THE   AKMY. 

God  for  the  union.  Monument  cemetery. 

But  both  resources  failed  them,  and  they  ignominiously 
fled,  thinking  it  best  to  cave  in,  and  capitulate,  as  they 
were  on  the  wrong  side  this  time.  If  the  spirit  and 
mantle  of  "  Old  Hickory''  was  there  at  all,  it  must  have 
rested  on  the  invincible  Farragut,  and  his  brave  coad 
jutor  Butler,  as  they  battered  to  the  dust  the  flag  and 
forts  of  traitors,  and  thundered  up  the  river  the  memo 
rable  words  in  smoke  and  flame.  "  The  Union  it  must  and 
««.  ' 

shall  be  preserved ." 

The  bodies  of  our  deceased  soldiers,  are  now  conveyed 
to  Monument  Cemetery,  by  a  small  steamer  plying  twice 
a  day,  and  chartered  for  this  exclusive  purpose.  I  have 
attended  the  funeral  of  as  many  as  thirty-three  in  one 
day  at  that  locality,  and' every  one  of  them,  as  I  suppose, 
leaving  a  sad  gap,  not  only  in  the  ranks  they  were  proud 
to  fill,  but  in  home  circles  far  away.  Oh !  how  many 
hearts  bleed  for  those  who  shall  return  no  more. 

May  the'"  great  Physician  be  present  to  heal  the  sorrows 
of  the  wife  bereaved,  the  mother  in  mourning,  and  the 
children,  robbed  by  this  cruel  and  relentless  war,  of  the 
counsel  and  care  of  a  beloved  father. 

Time,  and  the  nation's  sympathy  will  do  much  to 
soften  and  soothe  the  hard  lot  of  those  left  desolate. 
Time  will  make  the  grass  green  above  the  single  grave 
or  mound  where  no  battle  sound  can  again  reach  the  ear 
of  the  fallen  :  and  a  redeemed  nation  will  gratefully 
cherish  the  memory  of  every  soldier,  who  on  its  altar 
laid  down  his  life,  that  children's  children  might  enjoy 
the  birthright  and  blessing  of  free  government  for  ever. 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  201 


Taxable  property.  Industry  and  morals. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

OBSER V^L TIONS  CONTINUED. 

TAXABLE  PROPERTY— WEALTH  OF  THE  COLORED  PEOPLE— THEIR  PIETY- 
POWER  IN  PRAYER— THEIR  "  MOSES"— DENOMINATIONS— LARGE  SE 
CESSION  FROM  THE  CHURCH  SOUTH— ADMIXTURE  OF  RACES— WRONGS 
ENDURED— A  REMARKABLE  WEDDING— FATHER  ROSS— THE  GREAT 
EMANCIPATION  CELEBRATION— THE  MILITARY— PRAYER  AND  ORA 
TIONS—IMMENSE  PARADE— SONG  BY  THE  CHILDREN— THE  FIRST 
COLORED  .REGIMENT— A  SCRAP  OF  HISTORY— THE  ORGANIZATION  OF 
COLORED  TROOPS— THEIR  ADAPTATION  TO  CLIMATE,  DRILL,  AND  DISCI 
PLINE—THEIR  VICTORIES— EQUAL  RIGHTS— THE  NATION'S  DUTY  TO 
THE  COLORED  MAN. 

THE  amount  of  taxable  property  in  this  city  before 
the  war  was  one  hundred  and  four  millions,  of  which 
the  colored  people  owned,  and  paid  taxes  on  fifteen  millions 
of  dollars  !  Who  would  have  supposed  this  ? 

The  colored  population  is  estimated  at  forty  thousand 
souls,  and  many  among  them  are  intelligent,  influential, 
and  wealthy  people.  As  a  class,  they  are  noted  for  good 
morals,  and  in  general  character  and  conduct,  are  ex 
amples  of  uprightness. 

Some  of  them  are  the  finest-looking  colored  people  I 
ever  saw.  About  two-thirds  speak  the  English  language, 
and  the  balance,  the  French,  Spanish,  and  Italian. 
They  publish  a  daily,  and  a  tri-weekly  newspaper,  in 


202  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Religious  denominations.  Loyalty  of  colored  people. 

the  French  and  English  languages,  called  the  "New 
Orleans  Tribune,"  which  has  quite  a  large  circulation. 
The  majority  are  attached  to  the  Protestant  faith,  and  a 
large  proportion  of  them  are  Methodists.  They  have 
four  Methodist  churches  in  the  city,  which,  until  recently, 
were  connected  with  the  church  south.  About  three 
thousand  of  their  number  have  attached  themselves  tons, 
and  are  now  included  in  the  old  loyal  and  anti-slavery 
church  of  our  fathers,  under  the  general  oversight  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Newman. 

They  were  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  renounce  the 
southern  branch  of  the  Church,  and  show  their  love  for 
true  Methodism  and  their  loyalty  to  the  government  by 
coming  over  to  us.  There  are  three  African  and  four 
Baptist  churches,  also  sustained  by  them,  in  the  city,  and 
two  hundred  and  thirty  schools,  now  under  their  own 
control,  in  the  state. 

No  fact  is  more  fully  established  at  present  than  that 
of  the  true,  hearty,  and  unfaltering  devotion  of  the 
southern  colored  people  to  the  union.  Everywhere  they 
have  given  unquestioned  evidence  of  their  sincere  patriot 
ism.  Without  their  information  and  guidance  many  a 
campaign  would  have  closed  without  success,  many  a 
union  prisoner  would  have  pined  and  died  in  hopeless 
dungeons,  and  many  a  dangerous  rebel  would  have  con 
tinued  secretly  to  ply  his  wicked  work  of  opposition  to 
the  lawful  authorities. 

They  are,  moreover,  among  the  most  devout,  God 
fearing,  and  faithful  Christians,  according  to  their  light 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       203 

Temperate  and  Law-abiding.  The  modern  "  Moses." 

and  opportunities,  which  this  nation,  or  any  other,  has 
known.  They  are  a  people  of  prayer,  of  patience  under 
provocation,  of  meekness  in  suffering,  and,  as  a  general 
thing,  consistent  in  character,  with  the  strictest  rules 
of  Church  discipline. 

In  New  Orleans  it  is  a  rare  sight  to  see  a  colored  per 
son  in  the  hands  of  a  civil  officer,  and  never,  in  all  my 
experience,  have  I  seen  one  of  them  on  the  street  drunk. 
They  are  sober,  industrious,  and  economical,  supporting 
themselves  out  of  their  own  earnings,  and  dividing,  with 
generous  liberality,  their  substance  for  the  maintenance 
of  their  own  poor  and  the  cause  of  religion.  It  is  a  great 
error  to  suppose  that  the  government  is  burdened  with 
their  support.  Only  a  few  of  the  old  and  helpless, 
who  have  been  turned  adrift  upon  the  world,  need  the 
care  and  rations  of  the  commissary  department. 

Whatever  is  done  for  them  in  this  way  is  appreciated 
with  sincere  thankfulness,  while  thousands  of  the  impov 
erished  whites,  who  have  become  pensioners  on  the  bounty 
of  the  government,  actually  curse  the  hand  that  supplies 
their  daily  wants,  and  sneer  at  those  who  keep  them 
from  starving. 

The  name  of  President  Lincoln  was  their  strong  tower, 
and  tens  of  thousands  among  them  sent  up  their  prayers 
to  heaven  for  blessings  on  his  head.  He  stood  before 
them,  as  Moses  did  among  the  Israelites  in  former  days, 
and  if  earnest  love  and  incessant  supplication  ever  helped 
a  man  to  heaven,  the  martyred  president  is  surely  near 
the  throne.  Who,  that  believes  his  Bible,  can  doubt  but 


204  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Amalgamation.  General  observations. 

that  this  oppressed  people  have  power  with  God,  and 
that  the  wondrous  results  of  these  days,  shaped,  as  they 
are,  by  an  unseen  and  Almighty  arm,  are  the  answers  to 
a  century  of  groans  and  crying. 

Among  the  wrongs  endured  by  these  poor,  defenseless 
people,  perhaps  the  greatest  and  most  cruel  is  that  which 
ignores  virtue  and  chastity,  and  has,  up  to  this  time, 
violated  all  the  sacredness  of  the  "holy  estate  of  matri 
mony"  among  them.  The  southern  people  are  the  very 
last  in  the  world  who  ought  to  cry  out  against  amalga 
mation.  The  evidences  are  all  around  you  here  of  the 
extent  to  which  this  practice  has  been  carried.  Look  at 
a  few  facts  bearing  practically  on  this  question.  Accord 
ing  to  general  report  the  "mulatto"  is  one  half  white 
blood,  the  "quadroon"  one  fourth  negro,  and  the  "octo 
roon"  one  eighth. 

A  very  large  proportion  of  the  entire  colored  popula 
tion,  belong  to  one  or  other  of  these  classes,  and  a  ge 
nuine  African,  is  more  of  an  exception  than  the  rule  in 
this  city.  Many  of  the  "  octoroons,"  are  so  white,  that 
you  can  scarcely  distinguish  them  from  their  white  fa 
thers  !  yes,  fathers  who  held  them  in  bondage,  and  sold 
them  like  cattle !  But  the  days  of  the  auction  block  are 
past  and  gone,  never  to  return ;  and  for  this  every 
humane  heart  in  the  nation  ought  to  sing  the  doxology 
at  least  once  a  day. 

Six  years  of  my  life  have  been  spent  in  southern 
states,  during  which  time  I  have  observed  the  cruel  treat 
ment  of  masters,  mistresses,  overseers,  and  in  fact,  nearly 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.        205 

Oppression.  ^        Prejudice  of  caste. 

everybody  else  resident  there  toward  the  poor  slave.  I 
have  heard  them  cursed  on  every  hand,  and  seen  them 
whipped,  sold,  and  treated  in  the  most  inhuman  man 
ner. 

I  have  seen  the  gallery-doors  of  a  church  I  once  built 
in  Maryland  locked  against  them,  as  if  they  were  unfit 
to  enter  the  same  building  with  white  people,  to  worship 
God  together, -as  if  the  negro  had  no  soul,  or  was  of  an 
entirely  different  order  of  creation.  I  do  not  remember 
ever  to  have  heard  one,  even  of  the  most  pious  masters 
invite  them  into  family-worship,  or  impress  upon  them 
the  propriety  of  attending  church.  It  is  now  the  oft  re 
peated  cry,  that  they  are  unfit  for  freedom,  and  should 
still  be  kept  in  the  back  ground,  as  it  regards  education, 
and  the  means  of  moral  and  religious  improvement. 
Who  are  to  blame  if  the  colored  man  is  in  ignorance, 
and  deficient  in  almost  every  element  of  social  .life? 
How  can  it  be  expected  that  he  would  be  otherwise  kept 
so  long  in  degradation  and  infancy,  as  to  all  the  great 
purposes  of  manhood  ?  Let  him  have  even  half  a 
chance,  and  in  education,  enterprise,  and  social  position, 
he  will  work  out  his  own  salvation,  and  earn  the  right 
to  any  privilege  accorded  to  a  free  American  citizen. 
The  prejudice  against  caste  or  color  will  melt  away  like 
the  morning  mist,  and  will  only  be  remembered  in  the 
future  as  an  unreasonable,  and  unchristian  feeling, 
founded  on  wrong  principles,  and  fostered  only  as  a 
relic  of  barbarism. 

Many  scenes  occurred  under  my  notice,  in  this  city, 

18 


206  LIFE    IN    THE   ARMY. 

Rebel  soldiers.  Schools  aiid  pupils. 

which  I  could  attribute  only  to  empty-headed  ignorance, 
or  rebel  spite.  Ladies  frequently  visited  the  cemetery, 
and  would  linger  among  the  graves  of  traitors,  while  I 
have  known  them  to  shun  that  part  of  the  grounds 
where  some  of  our  brave  colored  soldiers  lie  buried. 

Living  or  dying,  or  even  dead,  these  secessionists  hate 
all  who  have  enrolled  themselves  under  the  flag  of  the 
free,  to  battle  for  the  right,  and  save,  for  after  genera 
tions  an  undivided  nationality. 

There  are  nine  military  schools  for  the  instruction  of 
colored  children  within  the  limits  of  the  city,  with 
an  average  attendance  of  two  thousand,  four  hundred 
eager  pupils,  all  alive  to  the  importance  of  education. 
The  "American  Missionary  Association,"  has  about 
twenty  teachers  in  this  department,  some  of  whom  are 
connected  with  colored  regiments,  giving  at  every  leisure 
moment  instructions  to  the  men,  many  of  whom  are  apt 
learners,  and  are  rapidly  advancing  to  that  degree  of 
proficiency,  in  which  they  will  be  able  to  read  the  Bible 
and  the  Constitution,  a  thing  which  thousands  of  the 
white  population  have  not  yet  attained  to  and  never  will. 

This  association  has  also  a  Sunday-school  under  its 
control,  numbering  about  six  hundred  scholars. 

I  attended  a  remarkable  wedding,  which  took  plaee 
one  evening  in  St.  Paul's  colored  M.  E.  church.  "Father 
lloss,"  the  venerable  preacher  in  charge,  first  held  a  short 
prayer-meeting,  and  then  put  on  his  spectacles,  and  with 
book  in  hand,  came  down  from  the  pulpit,  and  standing 
at  the  altar  railing,  he  ordered,  in  a  commanding  tone 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       207 

Remarkable  wedding.  Celebration. 

of  voice,  the  parties  who  were  present  to  be  married,  to 
come  at  once  forward.  At  this  moment  all  the  official 
members  arose  and  took  their  places  on  the  right  and  left 
of  the  officiating  minister. 

The  couple  also  presented  themselves  in  front,  and  the 
ceremony  proceeded.  After  the  usual  questions  were 
asked,  the  bridegroom  gave  assent  by  nodding  his  head. 
This,  however,  did  not  satisfy  Father  Ross.  He  cried 
out  sternly,  " '  'I  wilV  is  the  answer !"  and  insisted  on 
both  giving  audible  responses.  When  the  ceremony  was 
concluded,  the  old  minister  commanded  the  already 
frightened  bridegroom  to  kiss  his  bride,  which  he  pro 
ceeded  to  do  in  such  a  style  as  to  produce  a  general  smile 
among  the  lookers  on. 

I  had  heard  of  such  a  custom  as  this  before,  and  sup 
pose  it  is  an  importation  from  some  parts  of  Europe, 
but  never  witnessed  the  practical  operation  of  it,  except 
on  this  occasion.  It  seemed  to  me,  that  before  a  large 
assembly,  especially,  this  salutation,  as  the  finale  of  the 
marriage  rite,  would  be  more  highly  "honored  in  the 
breach  than  in  the  observance." 

The  llth  of  June,  1864,  was  a  high  day  at  Congo 
Square.  It  was  the  celebration  of  the  Emancipation  Pro 
clamation,  and  was  an  occasion  of  thrilling  interest. 
Many  a  secessionist  in  anticipation  had  prayed  that  the 
day  might  be  rainy,  or  otherwise  unfavorable ;  but  in 
this,  as  in  numerous  other  instances,  the  Good  Being  did 
not,  or  would  not,  hearken  and  grant  the  request  of  trai 
tors,  and  the  weather  was  most  propitious.  A  number 


208  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Martial  music.  A  stirring  prayer. 

of  colored  regiments,  with  burnished  steel  and  banners 
flying,  took  part  in  the  parade,  and  then  formed  into  a 
hollow  square,  encircling  the  large  platform,  which  was 
most  appropriately  decorated.  These  soldiers,  in  their 
bearing  and  precision  of  movement,  made'  a  very  fine 
appearance,  and  contributed  greatly  to  the  imposing  cere 
monies  of  the  occasion. 

The  music  was  soul-stirring,  and  touched  the  heart 
strings  of  twenty  thousand  people,  old  and  young,  mak 
ing  them  vibrate  with  the  highest  feelings  of  thankful 
ness  and  joy. 

After  the  meeting  was  called  to  order,  one  of  the  col 
ored  clergymen  present  offered  a  most  eloquent  and  im 
pressive  prayer  to  the  Almighty,  in  which  he  thanked 
God  that  they  as  a  people  were  permitted  to  witness  this 
day  of  jubilee,  the  greatest,  the  brightest,  the  best  day 
they  had  ever  seen.  They  had  prayed  for  it,  and  waited 
long  in  hope,  and  now,  said  he,  "  O  God,  roll  on  the 
tide  of  freedom,  until  every  slave  in  the  whole  land  is, 
as  many  here  are  to-day ;  until  the  oppressed  everywhere 
shall  rejoice  in  possession  of  liberty.  O  Lord,  bless 
General  Banks,  and  may  he  continue  to  shed  light  on 
us  poor  colored  people.  Father  in  heaven,  bless  Gene 
ral  Butler.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  didst  ever  send 
him  along  this  way.  Bless  him  now,  at  the  head  of  his 
army,  and  may  it  be  in  thy  good  providence  that  he  shall 
soon  return  to  us  here  again.  O  our  God  and  King, 
bless  the  great  Union  army  and  navy  with  courage  and 
success,  until  our  flag  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.        209 

Orations.  Speech  by  the  Governor. 

cover  the  great  and  mighty  sea.  May  the  '  Star-spangled 
Banner'  soon  become  the  acknowledged  flag  of  the  wide 
spread  earth !  O  God,  bless  to-day  thy  servant,  our 
chief  executive,  the  President  of  these  United  States, 
and  make  this  nation  the  greatest  empire  on  the  face  of 
the  globe." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer,  the  throng  of  colored- 
people  raised  a  general  cheer,  moved  to  this  expression 
of  their  appreciation,  I  suppose,  by  its  solid  ring  of 
loyalty. 

I  noticed  among  other  distinguished  persons  present 
Major-General  Banks,  Governor  Hahn,  Rev.  Mr.  Gil 
bert,  Rev.  Mr.  Bass,  and  Rev.  C.  Strong. 

There  were  two  very  able  addresses  delivered,  one  in 
English  and  the  other  in  French  by  colored  orators,  and 
from  the  eager  and  undivided  attention  given  to  their 
words,  and  the  tremendous  applause  which  greeted 
them,  I  should  think  the  effort  of  each  was  a  grand 
success.  , 

Governor  Hahn  also  made  a  brief,  and  very  telling 
speech,  which  was  enthusiastically  received. 

The  following  is  one  of  the  songs  which  was  sung  on 
the  occasion,  and  which  produced  a  great  effect.  It  was 
sung  by  the  colored  Sabbath  School  children,  under  the 
leadership  of  the  gentlemanly  and  efficient  Chaplain 
Conaway,  who  has  bestowed  a  large  amount  of  attention 
on  their  training  in  morals,  religion,  and  correct  views 
of  government : 
18  * 


210  LIFE   IN  THE  AEMY. 

Children's  song.  Immense  parade. 

:••'  SONG 

IN     HONOK     OF     EMANCIPATION. 

AIR — "  Our  Little  Meeting,"  Native  Melody. 
Slavery's  chain  is  bound  to  break, 
Slavery's  chain  is  bound  to  break, 
Slavery's  chain  is  bound  to  break, 
And  Massa  and  I  must  part — 

So  fare  you  well  poor  massa; 

May  God  Almighty  help  you, 

I'll  never  feel  your  lash  again, 

For  Freedom's  got  the  start! 

Our  ransomed  race  is  bound  to  take, 
Our  ransomed  race  is  bound  to  take, 
Our  ransomed  race  is  bound  to  take 
The  road  that  leads  to  light. 

So  fare  you  well,  poor  massa, 

May  God  Almighty  help  you ; 

I'll  never  feel  your  lash  again, 

For  God  is  with  the  right ! 

Louisiana's  star  is  shining  bright, 
GENERAL  BANKS  is  giving  light, 
Our  Convention  is  doing  right, 
And  now  we  all  are  free. 

So  fare  you  well,  poor  massa, 

May  God  Almighty  help  you; 

I'll  never  feel  your  lash'again, 

For  now  we  all  are  free ! 

At  the  close  of  the  interesting  exercises  in  the  square, 
the  large  concourse  of  people,  including  the  military,  and 
accompanied  with  music,  paraded  through  the  principal 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  211 

Colored  soldiers.  A  scrap  of  history. 

streets,  and  then  broke  up  without  disorder.  The  whole 
affair  was  a  novel  spectacle  and  a  grand  success. 

It  may  surprise  some  to  hear  that  up  to  this  time 
there  have  been  twelve  thousand  seven  hundred  colored 
soldiers  recruited  in  this  department,  and  all  of  them 
that  I  have  seen  under  arms  make  a  very  fine  appear 
ance.  Their  general  conduct  is  said  to  be  excellent,  and 
no  doubt  need  be  entertained  of  their  bravery  under  fire. 
History  will  record  its  testimony  on  this  point. 

•It  is  claimed  that  the  very  first  colored  regiment  en 
listed  in  the  United  States  service  was  formed  here  by 
order  of  Major-General  Butler,  who  assumed  the  respon 
sibility,  and  called  the  troops  by  the  name  of  "the  Na 
tive  Home  Guard,"  reminding  the  astonished  and  dis 
gusted  chivalry  of  a  scrap  of  history  which,  perhaps, 
they  had  forgotten,  viz,  that  both  General  Washington 
in  the  Revolution,  and  General  Jackson  in  the  last  war 
with  Great  Britain,  enrolled  colored  soldiers  in  the  ranks 
of  the  American  army.  We  all  remember  with  what 
intense  earnestness  the  rebels  and  their  Northern  allies 
plead  and  protested  against  making  the  colored  man  a 
soldier.  It  was  argued  that  the  white  troops  would  not 
bear  the  infliction  of  such  disgrace  as  this  arrangement 
contemplated  to  them — that  they  would  leave  the  service 
en  masse  if  required  to  fight  alongside  of  the  negro,  and 
that  it  was  a  waste  of  time  and  energy  to  undertake  the 
drill,  discipline,  and  command  of  colored  regiments ;  for 
they  would  run  at  the  first  fire,  and  would  prove  incom 
petent  in  every  quality  of  a  good  soldier.  All  this  was 


212  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Adaptability.  The  rifle  and  ballot. 

urged  time  and  again ;  but  the  government  in  the  hands 
of  such  men  as  the  now  revered  Lincoln,  and  the  inflexi 
ble  Secretary  Stan  ton,  persevered,  and  what  are  the  facts : 
the  world  knows  their  proud  record  of  endurance, 
bravery,  discipline,  and  success,  when,  and  wherever  the 
order  has  been  "forward.''  The  wisdom  of  recruiting 
them  by  tens  of  thousands  is  now  vindicated  by  their 
adaptation  to  service  in  the  Southern  climate,  and  their 
perfect  subordination  when  fairly  used  and  properly  paid. 
Yes,  they  have  not  only  helped  to  conquer  the  rebels  and 
carry  the  flag  of  the  free  in  triumph  over  the  territory 
where  they  were  denied  even  the  rights  of  manhood ;  but 
they  have  won  for  themselves  the  respect  and  regard  of 
the  nation.  They  have  conquered  an  enemy  almost  as 
formidable  as  the  rebellion  itself,  that  is,  the  prejudice 
which  everywhere  met  them,  and  paralyzed  their  efforts 
at  self-elevation  and  social  improvement. 

Whatever  my  judgment  is  worth,  I  give  it,  that  the 
hand  which  lays  down  the  rifle,  with  the  return  of  peace 
has  earned  the  privilege  to  deposit  a  ballot,  and  while 
thousands  of  the  time-serving  trimmers  of  the  border 
states,  and  the  actually  disloyal,  north  and  south,  who 
have  tried  to  destroy  this  government,  should  be  forever 
disqualified  for  part  or  participation  in  the  elective  fran 
chise,  the  good,  honest,  loyal,  intelligent  colored  man, 
should  be  recognized  as  a  citizen,  and  enjoy  the  most 
perfect  equality  before  the  law.  It  should  be  the  duty  of 
the  general,  and  state  governments,  as  well  as  of  the  in« 


OBSERVATIONS  'iN   NEW   ORLEANS.  213 

A  privilege  earned.  The  nation's  duty. 

telligent  and  humane  everywhere  to  reach  forth  a  helping 
hand,  and  lift  him  up. 

Christianity  too,  in  all  its  noble  dictates,  requires  us  to 
overcome  the  trivial,  and  unreasonable  antipathies,  which 
too  long  have  been  allowed  to  alienate  the  strong  from 
this  weaker  portion  of  the  great  family  of  one  Almighty 
Father,  and  give  the  gospel,  with  a  free,  unsparing 
liberality  to  those  who-have  been  suddenly  disenthralled, 
and  cast  upon  the  sympathies  of  those  who  profess  to  love 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to 
God  for  this  people  is,  that  they  may  be  brought  to  the 
knowledge  of  salvation,  and  made  a  peculiar  people  in 
holiness,  and  zealous  of  good  works. 


214  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


A  valuable  friend. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

REV.  J.  P.  NEWMAN,  D.D.— POSITION  AND  INFLUENCE— AN  OLD  LADY'S 
PRAYER— UNCLE  SAM,  THE  GREATEST  PRESIDENT— ALL  SAINTS'  DAY- 
BURYING  ABOVE  GROUND— CLIMATE— YOUNG  AMERICA— IGNORANCE 
OF  SOME  OF  THE  COLORED  PEOPLE-SINGULAR  NAMES— THE  MARRY 
ING  BUSINESS— CHRISTMAS— SABBATH  SQHOOL  EXHIBITIONS— WATCH 
NIGHT— LAZY  METHODISTS— A  DAY  OF  JUBILEE— THE  CHRISTIAN 
AND  SANITARY  COMMISSIONS— STEAMBOAT  COLLISIONS— THE  CITY 
AS  A  MILITARY  CAMP— THREE  THOUSAND  COLORED  CHILDREN  AT 
THE  CIRCUS— A  RAID  ON  THE  GAMBLING-HOUSES— SABBATH  DESE 
CRATION  PREVENTED— ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  NEW 
ORLEANS— INAUGURATION  OF  GOVERNOR  WELLS— GREAT  TURN  OUT 
OF  THE  FIRE  DEPARTMENT— ELOQUENT  PRAYER— A  MEMORABLE  DAY 
—VALUABLE  SERVICES  OF  DR.  J.  V.  E.  SMITH— THE  ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

MY  residence  in  New  Orleans,  brought  me  in  contact 
with  many  persons,  and  peculiarities  in  social  and  official 
life,  which  demanded  a  few  paragraphs,  descriptive  and 
explanatory,  for  the  information  or  amusement  of  those 
who  may  be  pleased  to  read  these  pages. 

With  all  the  incidents  of  an  active  round  of  duties, 
and  the  novelty  to  me  of  various  customs  and  habits 
among  the  people,  I  think,  my  stay  would  have  been  • 
much  more  dreary,  and  my  position  far  less  agreeable, 
had  I  not  formed  the  acquaintance,  and  experienced  the 
friendship,  counsel,  and  Christian  regard  of  a  gentleman, 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  215 

Rev.  Dr.  Newman.  His  mission. 

to  whose  name  I  cannot  give  too  prominent  a  place, 
either  in  my  book,  or  heart's  best  esteem.  Let  me  in 
troduce  him  as 

THE  REV.  <T.  P.  NEWMAN,  &.!>. 

The  appointment  of  Dr.  Newman  as  a  superintendent 
of  the  mission  work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  this  department,  reflects  the  highest  honor  on  the 
judgment  and  sagacity  of  our  excellent  Bishop  Ames. 
And  that  the  Doctor  himself  should  consent  to  exile 
from  the  more  congenial  associations  of  his  northern 
home,  to  face  and  grapple  with  the  difficulties  involved, 
is  greatly  to  his  credit  and  character,  as  a  self-sacrificing 
minister  of  Jesus. 

Ever  since  his  arrival,  the  whole  community  have  felt 
the  force  of  his  eloquence,  and  the  cause  of  God  and  his 
country  has  realized  signal  advantage  from  his  timely 
counsels  and  faithful  ministrations. 

In  the  pulpit  and  prayer-meeting,  and  on  the  platform, 
his  ability,  genius,  and  intense  devotion,  have  shone  out 
as  a  light  in  darkness,  and  no  man  in  this  city  occupies 
to-day  a  more  influential  position  than  he.  How  he 
manages  so  much  work,  is  a  mystery,  but  here  he  is,  one 
hour  leading  a  class,  the  next  perhaps  closeted  with  a 
commander  of  the  army,  or  familiar  with  the  delibera 
tions  of  municipal  officers,  or  called  to  give  his  views  on 
grave  matters  of  state  policy,  and  then,  off  to  some  re 
mote  point  to  meet  another  engagement  growing  out  of 
his  complicated  and  responsible  task. 


216  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

An  earnest  minister.  "  Uncle  Sam." 

He  boldly  tears  the  mask  from  vice,  exposes  rascality 
in  every  form,  and  is  the  champion  of  virtue,  right,  and 
true  religion,  making  the  press,  as  well  as  the  rostrum 
tributary  to  this  great  end,  and  in  the  work  of  conver 
sion,  he  aims  not  only  to  bring  sinners  to  God,  but  .out 
of  all  treasonable  sentiments  to  earnest  loyalty.  He  has 
been  largely  blessed  with  success  in  his  protracted  meet 
ings,  and  honored  by  a  precious  revival.  His  course  of 
sermons  to  young  men  were  attractive,  convincing,  and 
masterly  discourses,  and  his  "  half-hour"  sermons  to  the 
people,  drew  crowds  to  the  house  of  prayer.  Not  un- 
frequently  you  might  there  see  a  Major-General  seated 
side  by  side  with  a  private  soldier,  listening  to  the  word 
of  life  and  salvation.  The  Doctor  is  the  man  for  such 
an  important  outpost  of  Zion,  and  will  be  an  honor  to 
the  church  he  represents,  as  long  as  it  may  please  God 
to  spare  his  valuable  life. 

AN  OLD  SECESH  LADY 

whom  Dr.  Newman  met  with  one  day,  while  out  recon- 
noitering,  with  a  view  to  organize  a  loyal  Methodist 
society,  in  a  village  near  the  city,  told  him,  with  great 
confidence  that  the  south  would  certainly  succeed.  "  How 
do  you  know  ?"  said  he.  "  Because,"  replied  the  sister, 
"I  have  prayed  for  it!" 

«  UNCLE  SAM"   THE  GREATEST  PRESIDENT. 

I  heard  a  colored  man  declare  one  day,  after  hearing 
of  the  success  of  the  union  army  and  the  progress  of 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  217 

All  Saints'  day.  Mode  of  burying. 

emancipation,  that,  in  his  opinion,  " Uncle  Sana"  was 
the  greatest  president  ever  elected  to  the  white  house. 

"ALT,  SAINTS9"  DAT. 

The  calendar  of  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church,  as  all 
are  aware,  is  crowded  with  "saints'"  days,  which  are 
observed  as  religious  festivals.  The  1st  of  November  is 
termed  "All  Saints'  day,"  and  was  a  notable  occasion  in 
the  city.  The  previous  evening  is  denominated  "  Hallow 
eve,"  and  is  a  time  of  great  hilarity.  On  this  occasion 
the  relatives  of  deceased  persons  visit  the  grave-yards, 
and  place  garlands  on  the  vaults  and  tombs  where  the 
remains  of  friends  are  interred.  Prayers  are  offered, 
also,  by  the  priests,  for  the  dead,  on  this  particular  day. 

SOMES  FOR   THE  DEAD. 

There  are  a  large  number  of  very  beautiful  and  costly 
monuments  and  vaults  in  the  different  cemeteries  in  and 
around  the  city.  These  places  are  kept  in  very  nice 
order,  and  are  rarely  without  visitors.  All  who  are  able 
to  afford  it  have  the  remains  of  their  friends  placed  in 
vaults,  constructed  on  the  surface  of  the  ground,  for  the 
reason  that  the  soil  is  naturally  low  and  level,  and  graves 
dug  in  it  soon  become  filled  with  water. 

These  receptacles  are  built  from  five  to  twenty  feet 
high,  and,  to  a  person  coming  here  from  the  high  and 
rolling  lands  of  the  north,  they  present  a  curious  contrast 
with  the  usual  order  elsewhere, 

19 


218  LIFE    IN  THE   ARMY. 


Varieties  of  climate.  Young  America. 


THE  CLIMATE  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 

During  the  fall  season,  from  the  last  6f  September  to 
the  first  of  December,  the  climate  here  is  as  delightful  as 
can  well  be  imagined;  but,  from  December  to  March,  a 
change  occurs  which  makes  a  disagreeable  interval  of  the 
year.  A  great  quantity  of  rain  falls  during  this  season, 
and  the  cold  is  more  severe  than  many  in  the  north  sup 
pose.  It  is  necessary  to  have  fire  in  your  dwelling  most 
of  the  time,  and  out  of  doors  persons  are  compelled  to 
move  more  rapidly,  and  put  on  gloves  and  overcoat  to 
feel  comfortable. 

The  spring  is  mild  and  vefy  pleasant.  During  the 
months  of  April  and  May  vegetation  reaches  an  extraor 
dinary  state  of  maturity.  Flowers  burst  into  bloom,  and 
fruits  develope  with  tropical  rapidity. 

I  have  experienced  all  the  changes  of  the  year,  and 
can  testify  that  in  general  there  is  but  little  danger  to 
health,  if  prudence  and  care  be  exercised  in  guarding 
against  the  effect  of  sudden  transitions  in  the  atmosphere, 
until  a  person  becomes  fully  acclimated. 

YOUNG  AMERICA 

is  here  in  all  the  precocity  which  has  marked  his  char 
acter  elsewhere.  One  fine  morning,  as  I  was  hurrying 
along  toward  the  hospital,  a  very  little  boy  hailed  me 
with  the  utmost  confidence,  and  asked  the  favor  of  a 
match  to  light  his  cigar.  He  could  not  have  been  much 
over  two  feet  high,  and  four  summers  old,  and  yet  he 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       219 

A  school-master  needed.  Distinguished  names. 

was  determined  to  enjoy  his  smgke,  in  imitation  of  larger 
folks. 

This  is  but  one  out  of  many  instances  in  which  I  have 
seen  the  same  trait  cropping  out  as  distinctly  as  it  could 
well  be  defined  among  the  Yankees  down  east. 

LAMENTABLE  IGNORANCE. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1864,  there  were  four  hundred 
and  fifty  colored  soldiers  from  "Port  Hudson"  admitted 
into  the  Corps  d'Afrique  general  hospital,  and,  out 
of  the  whole  number,  only  fifty  of  them  could  tell  their 
proper  names  and  the  organizations  to  which  they  be 
longed.  Poor  fellows!  their  youth  had  been  spent  in 
the  cane-brake  and  cotton-field,  without  cultivation,  or 
contact  with  the  active,  thinking,  and  intelligent  world 
around  them;  and  mind  in  them  was  almost  an  utter 
blank;  their  whole  being  seemed  merged  into  passive, 
dull,  and  unquestioning  obedience  and  submission  to  the 
will  and  authority  of  others. 

REMARKABLE  NAMES. 

In  looking  over  the  record  of  the  Corps  d'Afrique 
Hospital,  any  person  having  a  liking  for  high  sounding 
titles,  famous  names,  and  funny  soubriquets,  can  copy  at 
will  a  notable  list.  There  are  now  here  seventeen  George 
"Washingtons,  one  General  Taylor,  one  General  Jackson, 
three  Andrew  Jacksons,  one  John  the  Baptist,  and  one 
Oliver  Cromwell.  Here  also  we  find  Edwin  Forrest, 
Charles  Bonnecarrie,  John  Blazes,  Dan  Tucker,  Thomas 


220  LIFE   IN  THE   ARMY. 

Matrimonial  revival.  Christinas. 

Monday,  Tom  Sunday,  Raphel  Eaphel,  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  &c.,  &c.  In  some  instances  the  negroes  are 
named  after  the  plantation  where  they  are  born,  and 
most  generally  bear  the  name  of  their  owner. 

MARRYING    EXTRAORDINARY. 

Whenever  our  armies  take  possession  of  slave  territory, 
great  numbers  of  colored  people  make  application  to  the 
chaplains  of  regiments  to  be  married,  although  many  of 
them  have  been  living  together  as  man  and  wife  for  years 
before.  This  fact  shows  that  they  understand  and  ap 
preciate  the  "holy  estate"  and  its  responsibilities,  and 
most  powerfully  reflects  on  the  Christianity,  and  even 
civilization,  of  their  former  owners.  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  to  join  a  large  number  of  them  in  the  relation 
which  is  pronounced  by  the  lips  of  the  apostle  as  "  hon 
orable  among  all  men,"  and  which  signifies  the  "  mystical 
union  which  exists  between  Christ  and  his  Church." 

The  signs  of  the  times  clearly  indicate  that  this  dark 
stain  will  be  wiped  out,  and  marriage,  with  all  its  heaven- 
sanctioned  blessings,  will  be  as  sacred  among  the  colored 
people  as  it  is  among  the  white  race. 

CHRISTMAS  IN  NEW   ORLEANS. 

Christmas  day  was  appropriately  observed  in  all  the 
churches  by  suitable  sermons  and  other  exercises  bearing 
on  the  glorious  advent  of  the  world's  Redeemer.  In 
the  Catholic  churches  there  were  profuse  decorations,  and 
the  image  of  the  "  babe  of  Bethlehem"  was  on  exhibi- 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW    ORLEANS.  221 

Sunday-school  exhibitions.  Entertainment. 

tion,  and  seemed  to  be  an  object  of  great  veneration  by 
the  devout  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  Quite  as  much 
interest  was  manifested  in  that  little  wax  figure  as  was 
possible,  almost,  if  the  real  person  had  been  before  them. 
I  never  witnessed  such  a  display  of  Christmas  toys,  cakes, 
confectionery,  &c.,  as  was  offered  here,  while  the  streets 
and  shops  were  thronged  with  people.  Canal  street  pre 
sented  a  very  lively  appearance,  being  the  chief  prome 
nade  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  could  afford  to  make 
a  gay  appearance  in  their  fixing  up,  and  happiness  seemed 
everywhere  to  prevail. 

SABBATH  SCHOOL  EXHIBITIONS. 

On  Christmas  eve  there  was  a  Sabbath  School  exhibi 
tion  in  the  Carondolet  St.  M.  E.  Church,  which  was  very 
tastefully  decorated  for  the  occasion.  On  each  side  of 
the  platform  there  was  a  beautiful  Christmas  tree,  trimmed 
and  loaded  with  the  most  tempting  fruit,  consisting  of 
bon-bons  and  articles  dear  to  ±he  eye  and  heart  of  child 
hood. 

The  addresses,  recitations,  and  dialogues  of  the  children 
were  delivered  with  neatness  and  remarkable  ability,  and 
delighted  the  crowded  audience  very  much.  Great 
credit  is  due  the  managers  of  this  affair,  and  particularly 
Mrs.  Dr.  Newman,  to  whose  skill  and  tact  was  due 
mainly  the  success  of  the  occasion. 

There  was  a  similar  celebration  held  in  the  Felicity 
Street  Church,  and  one  across  the  river  at  Algiers,  where 
I  had  the  pleasure  to  preside.  The  speaking  surpassed 

19* 


222  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

Watch-night.  Celebration. 

all  our  expectations,  and  at  the  close,  our  Christmas  trees, 
and  other  sources,  yielded  a  sumptuous  entertainment  to 
teachers  and  children. 

WATCH-NIGHT. 

As  Methodists,  although  in  a  strange  land  compara 
tively,,  we  kept  up  the  time-honored  custom  of  watch- 
meeting,  on  the  last  evening  of  the  year,  and,  while  the 
hosts  of  our  Israel  in  distant  towns  and  cities,  were  en 
tering  into  covenant  with  the  God  of  Wesley,  and  our 
fathers,  we  met  them  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  in  two 
of  the  principal  churches  enjoyed  a  season  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Some  of  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  church  in  this  city  looked  upon  this 
observance  as  a  strange  thing,  and  I  suppose  are  either 
too  sleepy,  or  too  proud,  to  be  found  on  their  knees  at 
midnight  on  the  last  day  of  the  old  year.  New  year's 
day,  coming  on  Sabbath,  gave  interest  to  the  religious 
services,  and  helped  to  crowd  the  churches.  Calls,  and 
congratulations  usual  on  this  day,  were  deferred  until 
Monday,  by  the  military  and  state  officers,  which  was 
right. 

A  J>AY  OF  JUBIT.EE. 

• 

The  24th  of  January,  1865,  was  celebrated  in  this  city 
as  a  day  of  rejoicing,  in  honor  of  the  edicts  of  Emancipa 
tion  passed  by  conventions,  representing  the  loyal  people 
of  Missouri  and  Tennessee,  declaring  the  freedom  of  all 
slaves  within  their  borders,  and  forever  prohibiting 
slavery  or  involuntary  servitude  in  those  states.  At  an 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  223 

Great  parade.  The  "  Christian  Commisions." 

early  hour  in  the  morning,  thousands  of  colored  people 
were  seen  wending  their  way  toward  La  Fayette  Square. 
At  the  residence  of  the  Governor,  an  immense  concourse 
of  soldiers  and  citizens  were  assembled,  eloquent  speakers 
addressed  the  multitude,  and  then  a  line  was  formed  and 
the  whole  concourse  paraded  through  the  principal  streets 
of  the  city.  Banners  streamed  from  every  available 
point,  music  rose  in  its  most  soul-stirring  strains,  and  as 
the  procession  moved  on,  cheer  after  cheer  made  the 
welkin  ring. 

Everybody  seemed  to  be  joyful  except  the  poor  ex- 
slave-holders,  whose  faces  were  elongated,  and  their  souls 
became  very  sad,  under  the  inspiring  shouts  of  freedmen 
and  the  prospect  to  them,  of  their  last  hope,  the  accursed 
confederacy  crumbling  to  deserved  infamy,  and  ruin. 
Let  the  states  come  on  in  line,  and  each  one  raise  upon 
its  highest  pinnacle,  the  emblem  of  "  Liberty  throughout 
all  the  land,  and  to  all  the  inhabitants  thereof." 

THE   CHRISTIAN  AND  SANITARY  COMMISSIONS. 

The  work  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  this  depart 
ment  has  been  very  extensive,  supplying  the  soldiers  in 
every  camp,  barrack,  and  hospital  with  good  religious 
literature,  and  with  living  teachers  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus.  The  Sanitary  Commission  has  also  performed  a 
noble  work  among  the  thousands  of  soldiers  in  this  de 
partment.  The  "Home"  in  this  city,  has  proven  a  great 
blessing  to  many  a  care-worn  soldier ;  for  here  the  de 
tached,  discharged,  or  furloughed,  can  obtain  board  and 


224  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

The  Soldiers'  Home.  Collisions  on  the  river. 

lodging  free  of  charge.  This  institution  is  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  able  and  efficient  commander  of  the 
defenses  of  the  city,  General  Sherman. 

The  idea  of  a  Soldiers'  Home  is,  I  believe,  original 
with  the  American  people,  and  is  an  outgrowth  of  the 
exigencies  of  the  war.  It  is  said  to  have  been  first  in 
stituted  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  1861,  when  troops 
began  to  move  toward  the  theatre  of  war,  and  many  had 
to  be  kept  stationed  there :  for  it  was  then  a  regular  hot 
bed  of  secession,  and  furnished  incalculable  aid  and  com 
fort  to  the  rebels,  both  in  men,  money,  and  munitions 
of  war.  I  am  glad  to  know  that  loyalty  triumphed 
there,  as  it  will  everywhere,  by  the  favor  of  Almighty 
God, 

These  commissions  have  done  such  a  glorious  work, 
that  I  cannot  helping  saying,  "  God  bless  every  one  con 
nected  with  them  in  their  origin,  design,  and  practical 
benefits  to  our  brave  armies."  The  history  of  adventure 
and  achievement  connected  with  their  influence  will 
hardly  be  less  wonderful  than  that  of  the  war  itself. 

STEAMBOAT   COLLISIONS 

have  for  many  years  furnished  the  newspapers  tales  of 
harrowing  horror.  Their  frequency  on  the  great  "  father 
of  waters,*'  may  in  part  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact, 
that  dense  fogs  are  prevalent  all  along  its  winding  course. 
I  have  known  the  fog  to  be  so  heavy,  while  crossing  the 
ferry,  that  you  could  not  discern  an  object  five  feet  from 
the  boat,  or  at  night  see  the  gas  lights  burning,  a  short 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW    ORLEANS.  225 

A  military  camp.  The  circus. 

distance  from  either  shore.  Our  ferry-man  informed  me 
that  he  often  lost  his  reckoning  on  account  of  the  fog, 
and  failed  to  make  his  proper  landing  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river.  It  is  no  wonder  therefore  that  steamers 
collide  under  such  circumstances,  especially  as  the  hands 
on  board  are  not  celebrated  for  prudence,  but  on  the  con 
trary,  are  generally  reckless  of  consequences,  and  disposed 
at  all  times  to  "  let  her  rip !" 

THE    CITY  AS   A.    MILITARY  CAMP, 

can  be  viewed  to  the  best  advantage  at  the  time  when 
the  field  officer  of  the  day  takes  his  rounds  to.  every 
post,  and  with  a  quick  scrutinizing  eye,  ascertains  that 
everything  is  in  good  order.  Following  him  you  may 
discover  the  points  where  guard-mounting  is  a  regular 
practice,  and  the  whole  city  is  one  great  camp,  regulated 
by  the  strict  rules  of  military  order  and  discipline. 
This,  instead  of  being  a  disadvantage,  as  the  secessionists 
declare,  tends  to  general  safety,  sobriety,  and  the  free 
enjoyment  of  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  citizenship, 
and  breaking  up  the  terrorism  of  lawless  characters,  has 
purified,  and  been  a  blessing  to  New  Orleans.  V 

CHILDREN  AND  THE  CIRCUS. 

Major  B.  Rush  Plumley,  president  of  the  board  of 
education  for  the  instruction  of  colored  children,  having 
made  the  necessary  arrangements,  one  day,  gratified  three 
thousand,  by  a  visit  to  "  Howe's  European  Circus,"  and 
I  understood  the  sights  and  scenes  they  witnessed  there 


226  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Gambling-houses  closed.  .        Gen.  Hurlbut. 

produced  a  tremendous  sensation  of  pleasure.  „  They 
rolled  their  optics,  and  made  a  display  of  ivory  that  was 
wonderful  to  behold.  Such  a  pleasure  to  them  was  a 
marked  day  in  their  memory,  and  the  considerate  Major, 
I  am  sure,  was  amply  repaid  by  the  delight  he  Jielped  to 
bestow.  He  is  an  untiring  advocate  for  the  enlighten 
ment  of  these  young  minds,  and  his  efforts  are  being 
crowned  with  well  deserved  success. 

A  RAID  ON  THE  GAMJiLING-HOUSES. 

Major-General  Hurlbut,  the  able  and  efficient  com 
mander  of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  has  placed  all 
Christians  under  obligations  to  him,  for  his  timely  efforts 
to  improve  the  morals  of  this  city.  At  the  time  when 
the  State  Legislature  was  about  to  confirm  the  law  passed 
'by  the  late  Convention,  licensing  gambling-houses,  this 
friend  of  morality  had  the  good  sense  and  courage  to 
issue  an  order  closing  all  the  places  of  this  character, 
that  have  so  long  been  a  curse  and  blight  to  New  Orleans. 
It  was  also  by  his  order  that  the  theatres  were  prohibited 
from  having  performances  on  the  Sabbath  day.  All  offi 
cers  and  soldiers  were  also  interdicted  from  yisiting 
whisky  shops  on  the  Sabbath.  This  is  a  proper  exercise 
of  power,  and  will  redound  to  the  credit  of  the  general 
commanding.  It  is  incalculable  what  vice,  and  wretched 
ness,  and  crime,  such  prohibition  prevents.  Every 
friend  of  honesty,  temperance,  and  good  order,  will  ap 
prove  the  act,  and  admire  such  soldiers  as  Generals 
Hurlbut  and  Canby,  for  their  efforts  to  redeem  this 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       227 

Anniversary.  Fifty  years  ago. 

almost  ruined  city  from  dissipation,  gambling,  and  the 
desecration  of  the  holy  Sabbath. 

THE  EIGHTS  OF  JANUARY. 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  New  Orleans 
happening  on  the  Sabbath,  all  noisy  demonstrations 
were  deferred  until  Monday,  and  the  Sabbath  passed  in 
a  manner  befitting  the  stillness  and  sanctity  of  the  day. 
Some  few,  however,  supposing  it  would  not  do  to  wait, 
went  off  and  became  intoxicated,  and  had  their  accus 
tomed  spree. 

On  Monday  morning  the  slumbering  citizens  were 
aroused  by  the  thundering  of  artillery,  fifty  guns  were 
fired  in  honor  of  the  event,  by  order  of  the  commanding 
general,  and  then  ensued  a  general  enfilade  of  small  arms, 
and  such  a  racket  as  is  customary  in  other  localities  on 
the  Fourth  of  July. 

Before  the  rebellion  this  was  an  occasion  of  great  en 
thusiasm,  and  the  annual  celebration  was  participated  in 
by  all  the  citizens  who  remembered  with  pride  and 
pleasure  the  achievements  of  the  immortal  Jackson  and 
his  brave  battalions  in  their  heroic  defense  of  the  city, 
and  the  defeat  of  a  proud  and  boasting  foe.  The  value 
of  victory  on  that  day  and  field,  may  be  estimated  by  the 
consequences  which  would  have  ensued  by  the  defeat  of 
our  army.  This  city  would  have  fallen,  of  course,  the 
State  of  Louisiana  and  the  whole  upper  valley  of  the 
Mississippi  would  have  been  captured  and  conquered, 
and  the  war  prolonged. 


228  -LIFE   IN   THE   AKMY. 

Homes  for  all.  Inauguration  day. 

The  whole  nation,  therefore,  should  keep  alive  the 
memory  of  such  a  glorious  and  important  event,  and  be 
thankful  to  God  that  the  flag  which  fifty  years  ago  led 
our  soldiers  to  the  charge,  floats  to-day  triumphantly  in 
the  face  of  treason  at  home. 

May  its  starry  folds  ever  kindle  in  the  bosom  of 
American  patriots  an  invincible  courage  to  vindicate  its 
honor  when  tyrants  or  traitors  assail  it.  And  may  time 
in  its  unnumbered  years  still  perpetuate  the  spirit  of 
General  Jackson  and  the  Republic  of  our  Fathers.  May 
this  fair  land  be  the  home  of  the  oppressed,  an  asylum 
for  the  poor  and  down-trodden  millions  of  every  land ; 
for  Uncle  Sam,  after  all  the  blood  and  treasure  spent  in 
putting  down  this  rebellion,  is  still  rich  enough  to  give 
them  all  a  farm  ! 

INAUGURATION  DAT. 

The  fourth  of  March,  1865,  was  a  high  day  in  this 
city.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  busy  note 
of  preparation  gave  token  that  something  unusual  was 
on  hand,  and  soon  Canal  Street  became  thronged  with 
people,  getting  into  position  to  witness  the  scenes  about 
to  transpire.  Twenty-four  fire  companies  made  their 
appearance,  with  engines  glittering  like  gold,  and  be 
decked  with  magnificent  wreaths,  and  a  profusion  of  flags. 

The  procession  was  formed  by  marshals  rapidly  dash 
ing  to  and  fro,  the  music  fell  in  and  helped  to  heighten 
the  general  interest,  and  far  above  and  below  the  "  Clay 
Monument,"  flags  and  banners  fluttered  in  the  morning- 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  .      229 

Prayer  and  speeches.  The  Nation's  standard-bearer. 

breeze.  In  compliance  with  resolutions  of  general  assem 
bly,  both  houses  met  at  noon  to  attend  the  inauguration 
of  Governor  Wells,  who  was  to  succeed  Governor  Hahn, 
he  having  resigned  for  the  purpose  of  representing  his 
state  in  the  United  States  Senate.  At  the  appointed 
hour,  all  being  in  readiness,  the  proceedings  were  opened 
with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Newman,  who  solemnly 
invoked  the  continued  aid  of  Almighty  God,  to  his  ser 
vant  about  to  be  clothed  with  the  high  distinction,  and 
weighty  responsibilities  of  governor — that  He  would 
grant  him  ability  to  discharge  successfully  the  duties  in 
volved  in  his  important  office,  as  executor  of  the  will  of 
the  people,  and  endow  the  representative  of  the  State, 
with  divine  direction  and  blessing,  and  keep  poor  mortal 
ashes  from  temptation  to  do  wrong. 

He  also  devoutly  thanked  the  Lord  of  Hosts  for 
victory  to  the  arms  of  the  Union,  and  the  progress  of 
the  glorious  flag  of  liberty,  and  prayed  for  continued 
success  to  the  army  and  navy,  to  the  second  term  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  as  president  of  this  great  republic, 
and  the  nation's  standard-bearer,  that  in  his  day,  and 
speedily,  the  banner  of  an  undivided  nation  might  wave, 
and  this  iniquitous  rebellion  might  soon  be  overthrown. 

The  prayer,  which  was  one  of  the  most  appropriate, 
and  eloquent  I  ever  listened  to,  was  followed  by  patriotic 
music,  and  then  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  to 
the  new  Governor,  after  which  he  delivered  his  inaugural 
address.  The  band  then  played  "the  star-spangled  ban 
ner,"  after  which  General  Hurlbut  was  introduced  to 
20 


230     m  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  memorable  day.  Dr.  J.  V.  E.  Smith. 

the  audience  by  Ex-Governor  Hahn,  and  was  received  „ 
with  great  applause.  He  very  eloquently  sketched  the 
progress  of  the  war,  the  baptism  of  blood  and  fire 
through  which  the  country  had  passed  during  four  years 
of  strife,  and  alluding  to  President  Lincoln,  made  some 
impressive  and  thrilling  encomiums  upon  that  great  and 
good  man.  He  closed  with  the  sentiment :  "  God  pre 
serve  the  United  States,  the  banner-bearer  of  freedom." 
The  band  then  played  "The  red,  white,  and  blue," 
and  the  ceremonies  were  closed  with  the  benediction  by 
Dr.  Newman,  the  crowded  concourse  slowly  retired,  and 
this  "  Inauguration  day"  will  long  be  remembered  in 
the  history  of  the  "  Crescent  City." 

A  DISTINGUISHED  PATRIOT. 

Among  the  names  which  will  ever  be  cherished  by  the 
country  with  gratitude  for  disinterested  patriotism,  and 
valuable  service  during  the  war,  will  be  that  of  Dr.  J. 
V.  E.  Smith,  formerly  mayor  of  Boston,  and  now  an 
agent,  and  active  worker  for  the  Christian  Commission 
in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf;  his  head-quarters  are 
at  New  Orleans.  To  enter  this  field  he  resigned  the 
professorship  of  Anatomy  in  the  New  York  Medical 
College,  his  sense  of  duty  to  his  country  and  her  noble 
defenders  being  so  strong,  and  his  nature  so  benevolent, 
he  renounced  position,  ease,  and  home  enjoyments  to 
minister  to  the  wants  of  the  "  weary  and  heavy-laden" 
among  our  soldiers,  who  love  him  as  a  father,  and  confide 
in  him  as  their  best  friend.  His  labors  have  been  arduous, 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  231 

True  benevolence.  The  roll  of  honor. 

and  highly  successful  in  this  branch  of  that  great  charity, 
which  now  commands  the  wonder  and  the  admiration 
of  all  Europe,  as  well  as  our  own  land.  So  entirely 
devoted  is  he  to  the  wants  of  others  that  he  gives  his 
valuable  time,  skill,  and  strength  to  the  cause,  without 
fee  or  reward,  and  to  my  certain  knowledge,  he  has 
even  given  the  coat  off  his  back  to  a  poor  soldier  who 
had  none.  The  Doctor  is  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
men  I  have  ever  known.  There  is  scarcely  a  place  of 
note  on  this  wide  globe  he  has  not  visited.  His  brilliant 
lectures  at  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  on  his  return  from 
extended  explorations,  commanded  the  attention  of  mem 
bers  of  Congress,  and  scientific  men  everywhere.  When 
the  names  of  our  true  American  heroes  are  inscribed  on 
the  high  roll  of  renown,  such  men  as  Professor  Smith, 
will  be  entitled  to  a  proud  place,  as  a  benefactor  to  his 
race,  and  an  honor  to  his  country. 


232  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


Joyful  news.  Excitement  of  the  people. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

NEWS  OF  VICTORY— TIDINGS  OF  THE  ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT 
LINCOLN— JOY  TURNED  TO  MOURNING— GREAT  DAY  OF  HUMILIA 
TION—IMMENSE  GATHERING  AT  LA  FAYETTE  SQUARE— TEARS  AND 
-  WOE— MOURNFUL  MUSIC— FLAGS  AT  HALF-MAST—BUILDINGS  DRAPED 
—A  CITY  FILLED  WITH  SORROW— PRAYER  BY  THE  REV.  DR.  NEW 
MAN—PUBLIC  ADDRESSES  BY  GENERALS  HURLBUT  AND  BANKS- 
MEETING  AT  DR.  PALMER'S  CHURCH— PRAYER  BY  DR.  PEARNE— 
STIRRING  ADDRESSES  —  CONTRAST  —  RETRIBUTION  FOR  SECESH 
PREACHERS— GREAT  SCARE  OF  THE  REBELS— THEIR  HOUSES  IN 
SACKCLOTH— REFLECTIONS— THE  REPUBLIC  STILL  LIVES! 

BUT  a  few  weeks  had  run  their  round,  after  the  occa 
sion  just  referred  to,  when  alas !  the  dismal  tidings  came 
like  a  knell  to  all  our  anticipations,  of  the  assassination 
of  the  honest,  patriotic,  and  liberty-loving  President, 
Abraham  Lincoln.  Before  this  awful  event  was  known, 
news  followed  news  of  the  victories  of  Grant  around 
Richmond,  the  triumphal  march  of  Sherman  and  his 
legions,  and  the  climax  was  reached  when  it  became 
known  as  a  fact  in  New  Orleans  that  Lee  had  surren 
dered,  the  Confederacy  caved  in,  and  the  rebellion  at 
last  had  its  backbone  and  neck  broken !  We  were  al 
most  wild  with  joy;  congratulations  flowed  on  every 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  233 

A  great  sorrow.  Great  meeting. 

hand,  and  people  could  not  sleep,  and  would  not  rest, 
because  of  the  exhilaration  produced. 

But  suddenly  these  bright  sunbeams  of  gladness  are 
plunged  in  eclipse,  joy  is  turned  to  sorrow,  and  mourning 
mantles  all  loyal  hearts.  The  atrocious  crime  of  the 
14th  of  April  fell  like  a  dull,  heavy  stroke  upon  us,  that 
made  us  speechless  with  horror  and  demented  with  woe. 

The  change  was  so  rapid,  so  unexpected,  so  tremen 
dous — from  the  highest  pinnacle  of  our  long-looked-for 
and  now  realized  triumph  to  the  deepest  depths  of  be 
reavement,  as  if  every  man  had  lost  a  father,  'or  a  first 
born,  by  the  cruel  stroke  of  a  dagger  piercing  his  heart, 
that  the  whole  city  was  quickly  robed  in  mourning  and 
covered  with  gloom. 

The  22d  of  April  was  set  apart  as  a  day  of  special 
mourning,  and  the  history  and  feelings  of  that  day  can 
never  be  forgotten.  The  whole  population,  it  would 
seem,  were  moved  by  one  impulse;  although  some  fami 
lies  and  individuals  doubtless  secretly  felt  a  malicious 
pleasure  in  the  strange  and  sad  event,  yet  none  dare 
evince  the  slightest  show  of  triumph.  As  in  northern 
cities,  so  herej  the  temper  of  a  patriot  could  not  brook 
or  bear  an  insulting  word  or  look  from  those  who  were 
rebels  at  heart.  The  public  buildings  and  many  private 
residences  were  heavily  draped  in  the  habiliments  of 
woe.  People  thronged  the  streets,  wearing  badges  of 
mourning.  La  Fayette  Square  was  again  the  point  to 
which  this  now  sad  and  sorrowing  mass  of  humanity 
wended  their  way.  The  fire  companies  again  turned  out 

20* 


234  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Mourning  everywhere.  Large  meeting. 

in  full  uniform,  and  their  apparatus,  as  well  as  them 
selves,  all  wearing  emblems  of  the  nation's  loss.  Vari 
ous  societies  helped  to  swell  the  throng,  and  solemn  mu 
sic  wailed  forth  its  dirge-like  strains. 

Around  the  large  stand,  which  was  appropriately 
draped,  the  multitude  gathered,  and  tears  fell  like  rain. 
The  whole  space  was  crowded  with  a  silent,  sad  audience. 
Every  banner  was  fringed  with  crape,  and  hung  at  half- 
mast,  and  still  the  slow,  mourning  music,  helped  to  make 
the  scene  more  impressive  and  awful.  Dr.  Newman 
was  selected  to  offer  prayer :  and  such  a  prayer !  pathetic, 
earnest,  soul-moving,  while  emotion  rose  like  a  silent 
tide,  and  rolled  over  that  vast  throng.  The  brave  and 
eloquent  General  Hurl  but  then  addressed  the  people, 
followed  by  General  Banks,  whose  words  never  were 
more  wisely  chosen,  or  more  effective  in  making  a  deep 
impression. 

At  the  First  Presbyterian  church  a  crowd  assembled, 
the  building  being  hung  with  black.  The  exercises  were 
commenced  with  a  powerful  prayer  by  the  Rev.  W.  H. 
Pearne,  D.D.,  followed  by  an  address  from  Hon.  Mr. 
Roselius,  in  which  he  reviewed  the  administration  of  our 
late  president,  an(i  declared  that  it  had  been  pure  and 
correct,  and*  that  the  deluded  people  of  the  south  had 
themselves  destroyed  the  institution  of  slavery.  He  con 
sidered  Mr.  Lincoln  entitled  to  a  degree  of  veneration 
second  only  to  the  immortal  Washington. 

Hon.'  Thomas  J.  Durant  followed,  and,  in  his  dis 
course,  said,  Liberty  had  lost  one  of  her  firmest  friends 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  235 

Addresses.  The  rebel  preacher. 

and  noblest  defenders  in  the  death  of  our  martyred 
president.  He  insisted  upon  justice  being  administered 
to  traitors,  that  there  could  be  no  home  in  this  country  for 
the  leaders  of  this  wicked  rebellion,  and  that  Mr.  Lin 
coln's  assassination  was  the  result  of  a  preconcerted  plan 
of  the  rebellious  people  of  the  south,  who,  in  their  fiend 
ish  rage,  took  this  means  of  revenge. 

I  wished  from  my  heart  that  such  words  as  were 
uttered  there  that  day  were  burned  into  the  hearts  of  all 
the  traitors  of  the  land.  What  a  contrast  was  such  a 
meeting  as  this  to  the  time  when  the  once  infamous,  but 
now  repentant  Dr.  Palmer  fulminated  his  foul  treason 
from  the  pulpit,  Sabbath  after  Sabbath,  and  even  pub 
lished  his  sermons  by  tens  of  thousands  to  fire  the  heart 
of  the  whole  southern  people  with  hatred  against  the 
government,  and  bitterness  toward  the  north.  No  one 
man,  perhaps,  did  more  to  influence  Louisiana  to  adopt 
and  practice  the  heresy  of  secession  than  this  same  Dr. 
Palmer.  Let  him  now,  while  he  professes  to  beg  pardon 
of  God  and  man  for  the  errors  he  taught,  and  the  ruin 
he  helped  to  bring  upon  his  congregation  and  country 
men,  look  forward  to  the  bar  of  inflexible  justice,  where 
he  must  meet  the  thousands  who  were  urged  to  fight  and 
fall  as  traitors  by  his  counsel.  There  will  be  a  day 
of  fearful  reckoning  and  terrible  retribution  for  such 
men,  that  no  bitter  tears  or  whining  prayers  can  alter  or 
avert. 

Many  of  those  known  to  be  rebels  in  this  city  were 
the  first  and  most  zealous  in  the  work  of  draping  their 


236  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Hypocrisy.  The  nation's  faith. 

houses.  This  was  not  from  sincere  feelings  of  sorrow, 
but  because  they  wished  to  deceive  union  people  as  to 
their  real  sentiments,  or  because  they  feared  the  military. 

They  fairly  trembled  with  apprehension  lest  the  union 
soldiery  should  wreak  a  summary  and  indiscriminate 
vengeance  upon  them.  Indeed  there  was  a  rumor  among 
them  that  -all  citizens  were  required  by  order  from  army 
head-quarters  to  exhibit  publicly  the  emblems  of  mourn 
ing,  but  such  an  order  was  never  published  or  perhaps 
thought  of.  The  scare,  however,  did  them  no  harm,  but 
doubtless  made  many  of  them  reflect  seriously,  and  show 
a  decent  respect  at  least  outwardly  for  the  memory  of 
our  much-loved  President. 

God's  ways  are  a  great  mystery  to  short-sighted  mortals. 
We  cannot  penetrate  the  inscrutable  counsels  of  his  will, 
or  understand  some  of  the  designs  of  his  dealings. 
Here  faith  comes  in  to  aid  us,  and  this  faith,  while  the 
body  of  the  good  and  great  Abraham  Lincoln  was  borne 
to  its  final  resting-place,  held  fast  to  God,  and  enabled 
the  nation  to  bow,  and  meekly  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done." 
What  a  wonder  it  was,  that  all  through  this  deplorable 
period  of  confusion,  the  functions  of  the  government 
were  kept  regularly  in  operation,  and,  instead  of  falling 
to  pieces  by  the  shock,  our  God-preserved  republic 
gathered  new  force  and  energy  from  this  disaster  to  carry 
forward,  and  accomplish  fully  its  sublime  mission. 

It  was  doubtless  the  hope  of  those  who  instigated  the 
conspirators  to  destroy  the  lives  of  the  President,  Mr. 
Seward,  and  others,  that  there  might  be  a  sudden  revolu- 


OBSERVATIONS  IN  NEW  ORLEANS.       237 

The  republic  lives.  Lincoln's  name. 

tion,  and  in  the  confusion  and  excitement  of  the  moment, 
that  the  established  order  of  the  government  might  be 
overthrown — leaving  adventurers,  who  had  the  nerve 
and  boldness  to  assume  dictatorship,  the  opening  they 
coveted  to  reach  that  position,  even  through  a  sea  of 
blood.  But  God  signally  foiled  their  wicked  purposes. 

Lincoln's  name  is  ever  hallowed  by  its  association  with 
martyrdom  for  principle,  and*  the  crown  he  won  and 
wears  will  never  grow  lustreless,  while  an  American 
heart  beats  true  for  liberty. 


238  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 


The  Black  Code.  Horrible  oppressions. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

OBSERVATIONS  CONTINUED. 

THE  BLACK  CODE  OF  LOUISIANA— KEEP  IT  BEFORE  THE  PEOPLE— THE 
VOICE  OF  SAGES— CHRISTIAN  PATRIOTS— STATESMEN,  PHILOSOPHERS 
AND  PHILANTHROPISTS,  IN  CONDEMNATION  OF  HUMAN  SLAVERY— 
WHAT  THE  PEOPLE  CAN  NOW  UNIVERSALLY  EXCLAIM  —  UNION, 
AND  LIBERTY. 

To  show  the  friends  of  freedom,  how  the  South  has 
degenerated  and  relapsed  to  Egyptian  barbarism,  I  will 
present  a  synoptical  view  of  the  pertinently  named  Black 
Code  of  Louisiana.  Any  slave  killing  or  attempting  to 
kill,  whether  maliciously,  or  in  defense  of  his  family 
or  self,  shall  be  hung.  If  a  slave  strike  his  master 
or  mistress,  or  their  children,  or  any  white  overseer, 
he  shall  be  hung,  or  be  imprisoned  at  hard  labor 
for  ten  years.  If  a  slave  shoot  or  stab  any  person 
with  intent  to  kill,  he  shall  be  hung.  If  any  slave  01 
free  person  of  color  shall  attempt  to  poison  any  person,  he 
shall  be  hung.  Any  slave  guilty  of  encouraging  an  in 
surrection  shall  be  hung.  Any  slave  or  free  person  of 
color  who  shall  attempt  to  burn  any  building  or  out-house 
shall  be  hung.  Any  slave  who  shall  be  guilty  for  the 
third  offense  of  striking  a  white  person  shall  be  hung, 
unless  the  blow  was  given  in  defense  of  his  master,  some 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  239 

Hanging  and  whipping.  No  freedom. 

member  of  his  family,  or  person  having  charge  of  him, 
when  the  slave  shall  be  excused.  Any  slave  forcibly 
taking  goods  or  money  from  any  person  shall  be  hung, 
or  as  the  court  shall  adjudge.  Any  slave  who  shall  break 
into  a  place  and  attempt  to  steal,  or  commit  any  other 
crime,  shall  be  hung.  Any  person  cruelly  treating  a 
slave  shall  not  be  fined  to  exceed  two  hundred  dollars. 
Any  person  who  shall  remove  any  iron  chain  or  collar 
fastened  to  a  slave  may  be  imprisoned  for  six  months. 
If  any  person  shall,  by  words  or  action,  advise  any  slave 
to  insurrection,  he  shall  suffer  death  or  imprisonment. 
Whosoever  shall  attempt  to  produce  discontent  among 
the  free  colored  or  slave  population,  shall  be  imprisoned 
at  hard  labor,  or  suffer  death.  Any  person  from  the  bar, 
the  bench,  the  stage,  the  pulpit,  or  any  other  place,  who 
shall  be  guilty  of  discourses  or  signs  tending  to  produce 
discontent  among  the  free  colored,  or  slave  population, 
or  who  shall  bring  into  this  state  any  paper,  pamphlet  or 
book  having  such  tendency,  may  be  imprisoned  twenty- 
one  years,  or  suffer  death.  Slaves  accused  of  capital 
crimes  shall  be  tried  by  two  justices  of  the  peace  and  ten 
owners  of  slaves.  Any  crime  not  capital  shall  be  tried 
by  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  four  owners  of  slaves. 
One  justice  and  nine  jurors  shall  constitute  a  quorum  foi 
the  trial  of  slaves  accused  of  capital  offenses.  If  a  slave 
is  convicted,  the  said  justice  of  the  peace  shall  sign  the 
sentence.  If  the  court  disagree  and  do  not  convict,  it 
shall  have  the  power  to  inflict  corporeal  punishment  ac 
cording  to  its  pleasure.  All  slaves  sentenced  to  death  or 


240  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Cruelty.  Appeal  to  history. 

perpetual  imprisonment,  shall  be  paid  for  out  of  the 
public  treasury.  A  slave  may  be  forced  to  testify  against 
his  fellow-slave,  but  he  is  not  permitted  to  testify  against 
a  white  man.  Any  slave  accused  of  a  capital  crime  in 
this  parish  shall  be  tried  by  the  judge  of  the  First 
District  Court  and  six  slaveholding  jurors.  No  slave 
can  leave  the  plantation  without  a  written  permission ; 
and  any  person  giving  permission  without  authority  shall 
be  fined  fifty  dollars.  Any  person  who  shall  mutilate  a 
slave  and  render  him  incapable  of  work,  shall  be  fined 
fifty  dollars,  and  pay  the  master  two  dollars  per  day  for 
every  day  lost ;  and  if  the  slave  be  forever  made  unable 
to  work,  then  the  oifender  shall  pay  his  value,  or  suffer 
one  year's  imprisonment.  Any  person,  having  been  a 
slave,  returning  to  this  state  without  permission,  shall  be 
forced  back  to  slavery.  Any  free  person  of  color  who 
may  be  ordered  to  leave  the  state  and  does  not,  may  be 
imprisoned  at  hard  la,bor  for  five  years.  Free  persons  of 
color  are  not  allowed  to  land  in  the  state  without  a  legal 
permit.  A  master  of  a  vessel  must  give  a  bond  for  the 
non-landing  of  free  persons  of  color,  &c.  &c. 

Permit  me  to  ask  you  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  sages, 
Christians,  patriots,  statesmen,  philosophers,  and  philan 
thropists  of  this  and  other  nations,  concerning  this  hell- 
begotten  wrong  and  outrage.  Washington  said  it  was 
his  first  wish  to  free  America  of  the  curse.  Jefferson, 
the  Apostle  of  Liberty,  said  he  trembled  for  his  country, 
and  declared  it  was  written  in  the  Book  of  Fate,  that  the 
people  should  be  free.  Patrick  Henry  detested  slavery 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  241 

The  world's  opinion.  Great  men  on  the  side  of  freedom. 

with  all  the  earnestness  of  his  nature,  and  believed  the 
time  was  not  far  distant  when  the  lamentable  evil  would 
be  abolished.  Madison  denied  the  right  of  property  in 
man,  and  contended  that  the  republican  principle  was 
antagonistic  to  human  bondage.  Monroe  considered 
slavery  as  preying  upon  the  very  vitals  of  the  Union. 
John  Randolph  detested  the  man  who  defended  slavery. 
Thomas  Randolph  deprecated  the  workings  of  the  evil. 
Thomas  Jefferson  Randolph  classes  the  "  institution" 
among  the  abominations  and  enormities  of  savage  tribes, 
and  as  tending  to  decrease  free  populations.  Peyton 
Randolph  lamented  its  existence.  Edward  Randolph, 
as  member  of  the  Convention  that  framed  the  Constitu 
tion  of  our  nation,  moved  to  strike  out  "  servitude,"  and 
insert  "  service,"  because  the  former  was  thought  to  ex 
press  the  condition  of  slaves,  and  the  latter  the  obligation 
of  free  persons.  Henry  Clay  would  never,  never,  never, 
by  word  or  thought,  by  mind  or  will,  aid  in  subjecting 
free  territory  to  the  everlasting  curse  of  human  bondage. 
The  great  Benton,  in  view  of  the  peace  and  reputation 
of  the  white  people — the  peace  of  the  land — the  world's 
last  hope  for  a  free  government  on  the  earth,  and  be 
cause  it  was  a  wrong,  condemned  its  extension  and  exis 
tence.  Colonel  Mason  contended  slavery  discouraged 
the  arts  and  manufactures,  made  labor  disreputable, 
prevented  immigration  of  whites,  who  enrich  and 
strengthen  a  country,  produced  pernicious  effects  on 
manners,  made  the  master  a  petty  tyrant,  and  invited 
calamities  to  the  nation.  Governor  McDowell  says  this 
21 


242  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

The  roll  call.  No  excuse  for  slavery. 

people  were  born  to  be  free,  and  their  enslavement  is  in 
violation  of  the  law  of  Deity.  Judge  Iredell,  of  North 
Carolina,  would  rejoice  when  the  entire  abolition  of 
slavery  took  place.  William  Pinckney,  of  Maryland, 
considered  it  dishonorable  and  iniquitous.  Thomas 
Marshall,  of  Virginia,  said  it  was  ruinous  to  the  whites. 
Boiling  said  the  time  would  come  when  this  degraded 
and  oppressed  people  would  free  themselves  from  their 
thraldom.  Chandler  calls  it  a  cancer,  and  said  it  would 
produce  commotion  and  bloody  strife.  Summers  said 
the  evils  could  not  be  enumerated.  Preston  said  the 
slaves  were  men,  and  entitled  to  human  rights.  Birney, 
of  Kentucky,  said  the  slaveholder  had  not  one  atom  of 
right  to  his  slave,  and  that  all  people  rejoice  when  they 
hear  that  the  oppressed  are  set  free.  McLaue,  of  Dela 
ware,  said,  I  am  an  enemy  of  slavery.  Luther  Martin, 
of  Maryland,  said  slavery  is  inconsistent  with  the  genius 
of  republicanism. 

John  Jay  called  it  repugnant  to  every  principle  of  jus 
tice  and  equity.  William  Jay  contended  the  time  had 
arrived  when  it  was  necessary  to  destroy  slavery  to  save 
our  own  liberty.  John  Quincy  Adams — the  old  man 
eloquent — said  it  perverted  human  reason  and  tainted 
the  very  sources  of  moral  principle.  Webster  regarded 
it  as  a  great  moral  and  political  evil,  sustained  by  migJit 
against  right,  and  in  violation  of  the  spirit  of  religion, 
justice  and  humanity.  Noah  Webster  claimed  freedom 
as  the  sacred  right  of  every  man.  De  Witt  Clinton  says 
the  despotisms  and  slavery  of  the  world  would  long  since 


OBSERVATIONS   IN  NEW   ORLEANS.  243 

The  verdict  of  humanity.  The  voice  of  England. 

have  vanished,  if  the  natural  equality  of  mankind  had 
been  understood  and  practiced.  General  Joseph  Warren 
says  personal  freedom  is  the  natural  right  of  every  man. 
England,  through  her  Mansfields,  calls  it  odious;  her 
Locke,  so  vile  that  a  gentleman  cannot  plead  for  it ;  her 
Pitt,  that  it  should  not  be  permitted  for  a  single  hour ; 
her  Fox  compares  it  to  robbery  and  murder;  her  Shak- 
speare  said  that  heaven  will  one  day  free  us  from  this 
slavery ;  her  Cowper  and  Miltons  have,  in  immortal 
verse,  execrated  it ;  her  Doctor  Johnson  says  no  man  is, 
by  nature,  the  property  of  another ;  her  Doctor  Price 
says,  if  you  can  enslave  another,  he  can  enslave  you ; 
her  Blackstone  tells  us  we  must  transgress  unjust  human 
laws,  and  obey  the  natural  and  divine ;  and  her  Coke, 
Hampden,  Wilberforce,  and  many  of  her  other  learned 
and  good  men,  endorsed  this  doctrine.  Ireland's  Burke 
said  it  ought  not  to  be  suffered  to  exist ;  her  Curran  de 
manded  universal  emancipation ;  her  great  O'Connell, 
speaking  to  his  countrymen,  said  he  would  not  recognize 
them,  if  they  countenanced  the  horrors  of  American  sla 
very.  Father  Mathew  said  slavery  is  a  sin  against  God 
and  man,  and  called  loudly  on  all  true  Irishmen  to  help 
to  move  on  the  Car  of  Freedom.  Scotland's  voice  is  as 
potent  in  condemnation  of  this  stupendous  crime.  Her 
Beattie  said  it  is  opposed  to  virtue  and  industry,  and 
should  be  viewed  with  horror ;  her  Miller  said  every 
individual,  whatever  his  country  or  complexion,  is  enti 
tled  to  freedom.  France,  speaking  through  her  La  Fay- 
ette,  the  friend  of  Washington  and  Liberty,  tells  the 


244  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

France  and  the  ancients.  The  Bible  against  slavery. 

world  he  would  not  have  drawn  his  sword  in  the  cause 
of  America,  if  he  could  have  conceived  that  thereby  he 
was  founding  a  land  of  slavery ;  his  grandson  said  the 
abolition  of  slavery  commanded  his  entire  sympathy. 
Montesquieu  said  the  earth  shrank  in  barrenness  from 
the  contaminating  sweat  of  a  slave.  Louis  X.  said  the 
Christian  religion  and  nature  herself  cried  out  against 
the  state  of  slavery,  and  demanded  the  liberty  of  all 
men.  Rousseau  said  slavery  and  right  contradicted  arid 
excluded  each  other.  Brissot  viewed  it  as  a  degradation 
of  human  nature.  Schiller,  Grotius,  Goethe,  Luther, 
Humboldt,  and  thousands  of  freedom-loving  Germans, 
have  spoken  deeply  in  condemnation  of  this  monster 
iniquity.  This  noble  people  were  the  earliest  to  denounce 
the  sin,  and  went  so  far  as  to  declare  the  slave  justifiable 
in  the  murder  of  his  master  who  refused  to  let  him  go 
free.  The  greatest  of  Alexanders  has  declared,  by  a 
solemn  ukase,  the  universal  enfranchisement  of  his  peo 
ple,  and  sixty  millions  of  human  beings  are  thereby  made 
freemen,  to  love  God  and  the  ways  of  justice  and  virtue. 
Cicero  tells  us  all  men  are  born  free,  and  that  law  cannot 
make  wrong  right.  Socrates  calls  slavery  a  system  of 
outrage  and  robbery.  Plato,  that  it  is  a  system  of  the 
most  complete  injustice.  The  great  Cyrus  said  that  to 
fight  in  order  not  to  be  made  a  slave,  is  noble.  The 
churches  of  the  world  hold  this  sin  as  an  abomination 
unto  the  Lord.  The  true  interpretation  of  the  Bible 
proclaims  liberty  throughout  all  the  land,  unto  all  the 
Inhabitants  thereof,  and  commands  us  to  let  the  oppressed 


OBSERVATIONS   IN   NEW   ORLEANS.  245 

No  palliation.  A  free  land. 

go  free,  to  call  no  man  master,  neither  to  be  called  mas 
ters.  Slavery  is  the  black  and  loathsome  sin  that  will 
not  be  forgiven  in  this  world,  nor  the  world  to  come. 
Thus  the  intelligent  and  great  men  of  all  nations  de 
nounce  this  foul  system. 

Now  that  the  rebellion  has  gone  down,  and  slavery 
with  it,  never  to  have  a  resurrection,  we  as  a  free  and 
independent  people,  can  universally  exclaim  : 


"  Who  would  sever  Freedom's  shrine  ? 
Who  would  draw  the  invidious  line? 
Though  by  birth  one  spot  be  mine, 
Dear  is  all  the  rest. 

"  Dear  to  me  the  South's  fair  land ! 
Dear  the  central  mountain  band  ! 
Dear  New  England's  rocky  strand j 
Dear  the  prairied  West ! 

"  By  our  altars,  pure  and  free ! 
By  the  law's  deep-rooted  tree  ! 
By  the  Past's  dread  memory ! 
By  our  Washington ! 

"  By  our  common  kindred  tongue ! 
By  our  hopes,  bright,  buoyant,  young, 
By  the  tie  of  country  strong ! 
We  will  still  be  one  ! 

"  Fathers,  have  ye  bled  in  vain  ? 
Ages,  shall  ye  droop  again  ? 
Maker,  shall  we  rashly  stain 
Blessings  sent  by  Thee  ? 
21* 


246  LIFE  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Our  heritage. 

"  No !  receive  our  solemn  vow, 
While  before  thy  throne  we  bow, 
Ever  to  maintain,  as  now, 
'  Union,  Liberty !' " 

The  great  danger  is  past.  The  "  conflict  of  ages"  is 
settled.  From  the  reefs,  and  shoals  of  political  antago 
nism,  the  good  old  Ship  of  State  is  saved.  Although 
strained  and  battered  by  the  "  windy  storm,"  she  will 
rapidly  right  herself  for  a  long  and  prosperous  voyage, 
and  bear  to  posterity  the  freight  of  universal  liberty. 

It  becomes  every  patriot  now,  to  guard  well  the  heri 
tage  God  has  given  us. 

"A  Union  of  lakes — a  Union  of  lands, 
'    A  Union  which  none  can  sever; 
A  Union  of  hearts — a  Union  of  hands, 
And  the  flag  of  our  Union  forever !" 


HOMEWARD   BOUND.  247 


Homeward  bound.  The  "  Commonwealth." 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

HOMEWARD   BOUND. 

OFF  FOR  CAIRO-THE  STEAMER  "  COMMONWEALTH,"  SECESH  OFFICERS— 
THE  CAPTAIN'S  OPINION  OF  GREEN  BACKS— TREATMENT  OF  A  UNION 
SOLDIER  BY  THE  CLERK— A  REBEL  LIEUTENANT  GETS  "  TIGHT"— 
OPINION  OF  A  PASSENGER,  AS  TO  WHERE  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION 
OF  MISSOURI  WAS  PREPARED— HIS  PREFERENCE  FOR  EUROPEAN 
GOVERNMENT— A  FEMALE  ADVOCATE  FOR  POOR  JEFF— ABANDONED 
PLANTATIONS— PORT  HUDSON— BATON  ROUGE— NATCHEZ— REAL  CHA 
RACTER  OF  A  PROFESSED  UNION  MAN— VICKSBURG— THE  GREAT 
SIEGE  AND  CAPTURE— GENERAL  DAVIDSON— ELECTION— REBELS  IN 
THE  ASCENDANT— MARTIAL  LAW  STILL  NECESSARY— LAKE  PROVI 
DENCE—THE  FOURTH  JULY  ON  BOARD— NAPOLEON— MEMPHIS— INCI 
DENTS— SCENERY— WASTE  LANDS— A  DROWNED  MAN— ARRIVAL  AT 
CAIRO— HOME  AGAIN. 

I  LEFT  New  Orleans  on  the  1st  of  July,  1865,  on  leave 
of  absence,  to  visit  my  friends  in  Pennsylvania,  and  sup 
posed,  when  I  stepped  on  board  the  steamer  "  Common 
wealth,"  bound  up  the  Mississippi,  that  I  should  have 
to  return  at  the  expiration  of  my  furlough.  Circum 
stances,  however,  so  altered  the  case,  that  my  departure 
was  for  an  indefinite  period,  and  my  farewell  to  the  scenes 
and  associations  of  the  "  Crescent  City,"  was  perhaps, 
for  ever. 

The  "  Commonwealth"  was  a  first-class  river-steamer, 


248  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

"  Grief  of  rebels."  Greenbacks  like  the  Jews. 

with  ample  accommodations  for  a  large  passenger  list, 
and  a  pleasant  sojourn  during  the  progress  of  the  up 
ward  trip.  Her  officers,  I  found  to  be  reserved  on  the 
subject  of  outspoken  and  hearty  adhesion  to  the  govern 
ment.  Although  they  rated  themselves  as  Union  men, 
yet  I  more  than  suspect,  the  majority  of  them  were 
among  the  disappointed  chivalry,  who  mourn  over  the 
misfortunes  of  the  bursted  bubble  of  southern  confede 
racy,  and  need  a  severe  and  thorough  "reconstruc 
tion." 

It  is,  indeed,  a  notorious  fact  that  most  of  the  officers 
of  the  river  steamers,  all  through  the  war,  have  been 
downright  rebels;  and  many  of  them  have  come  to 
grief  in  consequence  of  their  sympathy  with  treason. 
They  have  been  afforded  many  opportunities  for  medita 
tion  and  amendment  in  various  guard  houses  and  pris 
ons,  under  the  eye  of  some  of  Uncle  Sam's  boys,  with 
fixed  bayonets,  and  a  grim  determination  to  "settle  their 
hash"  without  extraordinary  provocation,  should  they 
show  a  disposition  to  be  unruly. 

The  captain  of  our  noble  steamer  entertains  no  very 
favorable  opinion  of  "greenbacks."  He  says,  like  the 
Jews,  they  have  no  redeemer!  yet  he  much  prefers,  and 
doubtless  has  for  some  time  past,  to  receive  this  kind 
of  currency  to  the  scrip  of  his  favorite  party  in  the  south, 
when  taking  an  equivalent  for  passage  or  freight.  The 
clerk  of  the  boat  appeared  to  be  a  little  in  advance  of  the 
others  in  sentiment,  and  evinced  his  hatred  to  our  cause 
by  inhuman  treatment  of  a  poor  Union  soldier  on  board. 


HOMEWARD   BOUND.  249 

A  rebel  officer  tight.  Aristocracy. 

I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  interfere  in  the  premises,  and, 
but  for  this,  it  would  have  gone  very  hard  with  the  vet 
eran  in  the  hands  of  such  cruel  and  unprincipled  rascals 
as  these  river  rebels  have  shown  themselves  to  be. 

There  were  quite  a  large  number  of  passengers  on 
board,  most  of  whom  were,  or  professed  to  be,  of  the 
straight-out,  unterrified,  and  not-to-be-conquered  class 
of  secessionists.  They  made  their  conversation  studiously 
disagreeable  and  insulting  to  the  friends  and  flag  of  this 
glorious  union.  A  rebel  lieutenant  among  them  seemed 
to  be  a  special  favorite  with  both  the  officers  and  passen 
gers,  and  was  pressed  so  earnestly  and  often  to  "take 
something,"  that  he  soon  became  as  drunk  and  as  silly 
as  a  foolvand  acted  accordingly.  A  man  of  sense  and 
patriotic  impulses,  in  such  a  crowd,  must  bear  a  vast 
amount  of  insult  and  impudence,  especially  from  these 
swaggering  "Johnny  Rebs,"  who,  on  the  strength  of  bad 
whisky,  fight  their  battles  over  again,  and  immortalize 
themselves  by  the  tales  they  repeat  of  personal  bravery 
in  killing  Yankees. 

The  conversation  turning  on  the  Missouri  constitution, 
an  old  dilapidated  individual  declared  that,  in  his  opin 
ion,  that  document  emanated  from  Massachusetts,  and 
was  dictated  and  written  somewhere  in  the  meridian 
of  Boston.  He  said  he  liked  the  laws  of  Europe  better 
than  those  of  this  country,  because  there  the  poor  man 
was  not  allowed  to  vote.  I  thought,  at  the  time,  what 
a  great  blessing  it  would  be  if  all  these  old  broken-down 
dignitaries  of  the  aristocratic  dynasty  that  has,  thank 


250  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

Opposing  the  government.  Abandoned  plantations. 

God,  been  broken  up,  would  leave  this  country.  It 
would  certainly  be  for  the  country's  good  if  they  would 
emigrate  to  the  regions  of  despotism,  and  end  their  days 
in  the  worship  of  peerage  and  tinseled  royalty. 

I  heard  some  of  these  rebels  talk  over  their  plans  to 
embarrass  the  government  at  every  point,  and  aid  those 
who  had  been  in  armed  rebellion  in  their  efforts  to  gain 
power  and  position  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs. 
A  secesh  female  was  very  earnest  in  argument  with  a 
gentleman  of  union  sentiments,  showing  the  virtues  of 
Jeff.  Davis,  and  his  claims  to  the  love  and  sympathy 
of  the  people.  The  other,  however,  put  an  extinguisher 
on  the  question  by  saying  he  ought  to  be  hung. 

In  passing  up  the  Mississippi  the  traveler  will  see  a 
great  many  abandoned  plantations  on  every  hand.  Our 
pilot  thinks  they  can  never  be  cultivated  with  success 
unless  slavery  be  continued,  but  we  differ  with  him  on 
that  point,  and  time  will  soon  demonstrate  the  fact  that 
he  and  thousands  like  him  are  under  a  great  mistake. 

Port  Hudson,  La.,  comes  into  view,  and  reminds  us 
of  General  Banks  and  his  forces  who  lay  so  long  in  close 
proximity  to  this  little  town.  It  is  situated  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  river,  and  appears  to  be  a  place  of  but  little 
importance,  aside  from  the  part  it  played  in  the  history 
of  the  war. 

Next  appears  Baton  Rouge,  once  the  capital  of  the 
state,  and  the  scene  of  some  severe  fighting.  Natchez  is 
quite  a  large  and  imposing  town,  standing  on  a  bold 
bluff  on  the  east  bank.  A  certain  man  resides  there, 


HOMEWARD   BOUND.  251 

Singular  conduct  of  a  "Union"  father.  Vicksburg. 

whom  the  government  has  confided  in,  and  protected,  as 
a  staunch  friend  of  the  Union ;  but  when  his  son  who 
had  been  in  the  rebel  army  returned  home,  after  surren 
dering  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  this  supposed  Union-loving 
father  shut  the  door  in  his  face  because  he  had  disgraced 
himself  by  a  surrender  to  the  Yankees  !  This  is  not  the 
first  instance,  by  a  long  way,  in  which  rebels  have  hood 
winked  our  officers  by  deception  and  false  pretense. 

Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  soon  comes  into  notice.  This 
place  is  memorable,  as  offering  such  a  long  and  stubborn 
resistance  to  General  Grant,  who  finally  captured  it  and 
took  possession  on  July  4th,  1863.  It  is  a  city  of  about 
eight  thousand  inhabitants,  and  is  four  hundred  miles 
above  New  Orleans.  It  is  now  under  guard  by  a  force 
of  fifteen  hundred  colored  troops,  with  General  Davidson 
as  commander  of  the  post.  I  heard  a  couple  of  the  citi 
zens  invite  this  officer  up  to  drink  with  them,  and  he  re 
fused  to  do  so,  which  fact  raised  him  considerably  in  my 
estimation.  There  had  been  an  election  held  here  on 
July  1st,  in  which  the  rebels,  as  in  all  other  places,  under 
the  present  policy  of  reconstruction  succeeded  in  elect 
ing  candidates  of  the  most  ultra  Southern  stripe.  Governor 
Sharkey's  private  secretary,  I  am  told,  is  an  ex-rebel 
colonel,  which,  however  well  such  an  arrangement  may 
suit  the  views  of  the  people,  is  an  insult  to  loyalty.  The 
South  is  highly  pleased  with  the  present  attitude  of  the 
general  government,  and  most  agreeably  disappointed  in 
the  measures  of  leniency  pursued  towards  some  of  her 
most  criminal  and  dangerous  citizens.  They  have  every- 


252  LIFE   IN   THE   AEMY. 

Military  rule  needed.  A  sorry  "  fourth  of  July." 

thing  their  own  way  in  many  places,  and  are  as  insolent 
and  overbearing  as  ever.  Give  them  the  reins  again, 
and  Union-loving  people  must  flee  for  their  lives.  Let 
them  manage  their  own  affairs,  and  liberty,  law,  and 
everything  for  which  our  brave  armies  fought,  is  as 
much  a  dead  letter  as  if  they,  and  not  us,  were  the  con 
querors.  If  order  and  peace  is  to  be  restored,  and  life 
and  property  protected,  if  the  colored  man  is  indeed  a 
freeman,  and  his  friends  are  to  have  liberty  of  speech, 
nothing  will  answer  yet  awhile  but  strong  military  occu 
pation,  and  the  steady  hand  of  martial  law,  until  these 
traitors  are  thoroughly  subjugated  and  safely  recon 
structed. 

Leaving  Yicksburg,  our  course  was  still  up  the  river, 
when  the  morning  of  the  glorious  Fourth  dawned  upon 
us.  The  day  passed,  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  without  the 
least  demonstration  on  board  our  floating  palace,  to  sig 
nify  the  joy  of  American  citizens,  not  only  in  memory  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  but  in  celebration  of 
our  victory  over  the  combinations  of  internal  treason, 
and  the  *  overthrow  of  the  bogus  Confederacy.  While 
cannon  are  thundering,  bonfires  blazing,  and  the  hearts 
of  millions  in  the  great  North  and  West  throbbing  with 
emotions  of  thankfulness  to  our  fathers'  God,  here  we  are 
cabined  and  -confined  among  a  set  of  sulky  passengers, 
who  it  seems  would  rather  curse  than  bless  the  starry 
flag  that  waves  in  triumph  elsewhere  to-day.  Even  the 
flag  is  not  hoisted  on  our  boat,  which  shows  beyond  all 
question  that  the  captain  is  a  rebel. 


HOMEWARD   BOUND.  253 

Demonstration  on  the  lower  deck.  Attractions  of  Memphis. 

When  I  say  there  was  no  demonstration  on  board,  I 
ought  perhaps  to  make  an  exception  in  favor  of  the 
American  citizens  of  African  descent,  who  got  up  a 
rousing  dance  on  the  lower  deck,  and  enjoyed  themselves 
in  their  own  peculiar  style,  without  let  or  hindrance. 

I  noticed,  as  we  passed,  a  place  called  Lake  Provi 
dence,  but  there  is  nothing  of  importance  about  the 
place,  except  a  steamboat  landing.  Successively,  we 
passed  Napoleon,  Arkansas ;  White  Eiver,  Friar's  Point, 
Mississippi ;  and  Helena,  and  reached  the  City  of  Mem 
phis,  which  is  on  the  Tennessee  side  on  a  high  bluff,  and 
occupies  the  most  notable  and  commanding  site  for  a 
city,  between  Cairo  and  the  Belize.  Memphis  contained 
a  population  of  over  forty  thousand  before  the  rebellion. 
The  war  was  damaging  to  its  business  interests  to  a  very 
large  extent,  but  trade  is  reviving,  and  things  begin  to 
assume  a  lively  appearance  about  the  streets  and  landing 
again.  The  city  is  very  attractive  to  a  stranger,  who 
will  find  here  many  evidences  of  taste,  enterprise,  and 
refinement.  Fort  Pinckney  commands  both  the  city 
and  river  front,  with  its  rows  of  heavy  guns.  "  Court 
Square,"  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  is  a  very  beautiful 
place. 

Fort  Pillow  may  be  seen  on  the  east  bank  as  you  pass, 
and  is  memorable  as  the  scene  of  a  diabolical  massacre 
of  Union  soldiers  and  citizens,  including  even  women 
and  children  by  the  blood-thirsty  vagabonds  who  com 
posed  Forrest's  marauding  band.  The  very  name  will, 

in  all  future  time  be  a  standing  rebuke  to  the  wicked 
22 


254  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

Low  lands.  "  Waste  places." 

men,  who  let  loose  such  demons  on  a  defenseless  few, 
and  murdered  them  in  cold  blood.  Surely  a  just  God 
will  remember  such  wicked  acts,  and  not  allow  the  guilty 
to  live  and  die  unpunished. 

New  Madrid  is  on  the  Missouri  side  of  the  river,  and 
appears  to  some  advantage.  Hickman  is  next  reached, 
and  there  is  but  little  left  of  it,  after  the  numerous  raids 
that  were  made  by  parties,  whose  delight  seemed  to  be 
destruction,  and  whose  track  was  everywhere  marked  by 
devastation  and  ruin.  Columbus  comes  into  view,  and 
is,  as  will  be  remembered,  the  highest  point  on  the  river 
where  the  rebels  attempted  to  fortify  themselves,  and 
withstand  the  onset  of  our  armies.  Large  portions  of 
the  country  all  the  way  up  from  New  Orleans,  are  low, 
and  constantly  liable  to  inundations;  the  scenery  is  very 
monotonous,  presenting  few  features  of  attraction  to  the 
eye  of  a  traveler. 

There  are  millions  of  acres  of  unoccupied  land  all 
along  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  which,  doubtless,  in 
the  course  of  time,  will  be  reclaimed  and  put  in  a  state 
of  cultivation.  But  population  must  increase,  and  im 
migration  turn  its  mighty  tide  in  this  direction ;  then 
improvement  will  begin,  and  the  great  valley,  capable 
itself  of  supporting  one  hundred  millions  of  people, 
will  become  the  very  heart  of  our  immense  country. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  as  we  were  rapidly  steaming 
against  the  current,  an  object  was  observed  floating  on 
the  surface  of  the  river,  which,  as  it  swept  past,  proved 
to  be  the  body  of  a  drowned  man.  This  sight  awakened 


HOMEWARD   BOUND.  255 

A  drowned  inan.  Scenes  in  Cairo. 

some  peculiar  and  sad  reflections  in  my  mind.  Who  was 
he  ?  Where  and  how  did  the  life,  so  dear  to  him,  and 
perhaps  so  valuable  to  friends  or  family,  suddenly  close? 
and  whither  drifting,  without  a  coffin,  a  tear,  or  the  rites 
of  Christian  burial? 

My  destination  was  Cairo,  111.,  which  was  reached  in 
due  time,  and  going  on  shore,  I  enjoyed  an  opportunity 
of  giving  this  celebrated  place,  which  figured  so  promi 
nently  in  connection  with  military  operations  conducted 
by  the  great  western  wing  of  the  Union  army,  a  tho 
rough  personal  examination.  It  is  located  at  the  junc 
tion  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  and  covers  the 
point  of  land  which  lies  between  both.  It  is  now  a 
large,  populous,  and  flourishing  town,  having  improved 
greatly  since  the  commencement  of  the  war.  The  chief 
drawback  to  its  prosperity  arises  from  the  constant  dan 
ger  there  is,  when  the  rivers  rise,  to  be  overflowed.  Le 
vees  and  embankments  protect  it  ordinarily,  and  the  cit 
izens,  to  be  provided  against  emergencies,  have  con 
structed  sidewalks  at  an  elevation  of  ten  to  fifteen  feet 
above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  on  which  they  may 
travel  to  and  fro  in  times  of  high  water,  and  enter  their 
dwellings  through  the  second  or  third  story  window.  It 
is  said  that  this  is  quite  an  unhealthy  locality,  but  men 
will  brave  health  for  the  sake  of  wealth,  and  go  through 
fire  as  well  as  flood  to  accomplish  the  purposes  of  their 
worldly  ambition.  The  locality,  if  the  ground  were 
higher,  would  suit  admirably  for  a  very  large  and  enter 
prising  city. 


256  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

On  to  Philadelphia.  Home  again. 

My  next  mode  of  transit  was  by  rail  to  Indianapolis, 
thence  to  Pittsburg,  and  on  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  ar 
rived  safely  on  the  8th  of  July,  making  the  entire  trip 
from  New  Orleans  in  eight  days.  I  need  not  here  detail 
the  incidents  of  my  rapid  railroad  journey,  and  could 
not,  if  even  I  tried,  describe  the  feelings  with  which  I 
once  more  entered  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love.  Ap 
proaching  it,  the  very  spires  and  domes,  its  uniform 
blocks  of  brick  and  mortar,  and  regular  streets  and 
squares,  and,  more  than  all,  its  people,  among  whom  I 
claim  many  cherished  friends,  gave  me  indescribable  joy. 


CONCLUSION. 


,    CHAPTER    XXX. 

CONCLUSION. 

MUSTERED  OUT— REVIEW  OF  FOUR  YEARS— OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  PRO 
SECUTION  OF  THE  WAR— DESPERATION  OF  THE  ENEMY— NECK  OR 
NOTHING— ABSURDITY  OF  THE  MILK-AND-WATER  POLICY— MEANNESS 
OF  NORTHERN  ALLIES  OF  JEFF.  DAVIS— THE  CONSTITUTION— SELF- 
PRESERVATION— TRAITORS  SHOULD  BE  PUNISHED— COMING  EVENTS— 
THE  SOUTH  A  SPOILED  CHILD— RECONSTRUCTION— THE  PISTOL  AND 
BOWIE  KNIFE  POLICY— CHARACTER  OF  THE  MEN  WHO  FOUGHT  THE 
FIGHT— BRAVERY  AND  ENDURANCE— A  JUST  CAUSE— FAITH  IN  GOD 
—OVERTHROW  OF  SLAVERY,  THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  COLORED  RACE- 
SOUTHERN  HATRED— OPPRESSION— SWORN  ENEMIES  SHOULD  NOT  BE 
ALLOWED  TO  CONTROL  THE  COUNTRY— EQUALITY  TO  ALL— NO  DANGER 
OF  COLLISION— THE  NATION'S  NEEDS— A  GENERAL  REVIVAL  OF  RE 
LIGION—THE  TRUE  BOND  OF  UNION— LESSONS  OF  THE  WAR. 

WITH  the  obligation  resting  upon  me  to  return  to  New 
Orleans,  and  report  myself  for  duty  within  a  specified 
time,  I  was  hurrying  through  a  round  of  very  pleasant 
visits,  to  places,  and  persons  associated  with  my  earlier 
life,  and  making  preparations  for  my  departure,  when, 
on  the  25th  of  August,  1865,  a  document  found  its  way 
to.  my  temporary  address,  the  contents  of  which  gave  me 
the  highest  degree  of  satisfaction.  The  rapid  reduction 
of  the  army,  the  breaking  up  of  hospitals,  and  the  con- 

22  *  257 


258  LIFE    IN   THE   ARMY. 

A  journey  obviated.  Mustered  out. 

sequent  duty  of  mustering  out  of  service,  a  large  pro 
portion  of  post  and  array  Chaplains,  brought  me  the 
welcome  relief  of  an  honorable  discharge  from  farther 
service  in  the  relation  I  had  sustained.  Not  that  such 
service  was  disagreeable,  or  that  I  had  become  weary  in 
my  work,  for  I  did  not  intend  to  back  out  of  responsi 
bility  so  long  as  in  the  judgment  of  others  I  was  needed: 
but  it  was  natural  to  suppose,  had  I  returned,  it  would 
have  only  involved  a  tedious  journey  there,  and  in  a  short 
time,  home  again  for  good.  My  papers,  therefore,  came 
at  a  most  opportune  moment,  and  in  a  very  brief  period 
of  correspondence  with  the  Department,  I  had  the  grati 
fication  to  feel  that  my  accounts  were  all  settled,  and 
my  record  approved  in  an  honorable  and  satisfactory 
manner. 

It  remained,  therefore,  for  me  to  turn  my  attention  to 
the  demands  of  duty  in  civil  life,  and  again  fall  in  line 
with  my  brethren  and  fellow-laborers,  of  the  Philadel 
phia  Conference,  as  a  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  regular 
itinerancy. 

In  giving  the  foregoing  chapters  a  hasty  review,  I 
find  but  few  subjects  falling  within  the  scope  of  my  title 
page,  that  have  not  been  touched  upon,  and  however 
brief,  or  incidental  the  allusion,  yet  my  views  have  been 
stated  and  observations  given,  with  frankness,  emphasis, 
and  a  strict  regard  to  unvarnished  fact. 

As  I  look  back  over  the  record  of  four  fleeting  years, 
and  try  to  compass  in  my  thoughts  the  wonderful  story 
of  war,  with  its  marshaled  millions,  its  fierce  encounters, 


CONCLUSION.  259 


The  drama  closed.  Case  of  Israel. 


its  rapid  evolutions,  its  sad,  and  yet  thrillingly  grand  re 
sults,  I  suppose  I  am  not  alone  when  I  confess,  that  the 
whole  drama,  upon  which  the  curtain  has  now  fallen,  is 
more  like  a  dream  than  the  reality. 

The  historian  who  shall  faithfully  write  this  record, 
will  not  lack  for  evidence  of  the  great  truth,  that  there 
is  a  "  God  in  history ;"  that  "  his  ways  are  not  our  ways, 
neither  are  his  thoughts  our  thoughts."  He  sets  his 
bounds,  appoints  his  own  times,  modes,  and  seasons  for 
mighty  revolutions ;  and  then,  as  though  perfectly  na 
tural  causes,  conspired  to  render  certain  results  inevitable, 
He,  the  Almighty  Ruler,  works  out  the  counsels  of  his 
will,  whoever  and  whatever  may  oppose. 

Look  at  Israel  in  the  land  of  groaning !  Look  at 
tribes,  and  peoples  down  the  roll  of  past  centuries,  cry 
ing,  O  Lord  !  how  long  ?  Look  at  men  professing  to  be 
wise,  planning,  predicting,  and  foreshadowing  this,  that, 
or  the  other  event,  as  contingent  on  their  theories  of  go 
vernment,  morals,  or  philosophy :  but  "  He  that  sitteth 
in  the  heavens,  shall  laugh :  the  Lord  shall  have  them 
in  derision !" 

"Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 

And  scan  his  work  in  vain  ; 
God  is  his  own  interpreter, 
And  he  will  make  it  plain." 

Who  does  not  now  see  plainly  that  this  nation  needed 
a  chastisement  of  just  such  a  character  and  in  just  such 
proportion  as  it  has  received  for  its  complicity  with  the 
"sum  of  all  villanies;"  its  subserviency  to  proud,  wicked 


260  LIFE   IN   THE   ARMY. 

The  ways  of  Providence.  Development  of  ideas. 

men,  and  its  time-serving  and  truckling  policies  for  party 
power  and  the  lust  of  office,  of  wealth,  and  of  godless 
ambition ! 

It  was  written  of  old,  "  He  will  not  forget  the  cry 
of  the  needy,"  and,  "  although  hand  join  in  hand,  the- 
wicked  shall  not  go  unpunished."  Behold  the  fulfil 
ment!  Truth,  long  crushed  to  earth,  comes  forth  in  its 
native  proportions  of  beauty;  righteousness,  trodden  un 
der  foot,  asserts  its  sway ;  and  now  a  redeemed  nation 
should  humbly  adore  the  providence,  the  power,  and  the 
mercy  that  has  saved  it  from  shipwreck  and  final  de 
struction. 

From  stage  to  stage  of  development  we  have  been  led 
on  successively  until  ideas  once  spurned  as  crude,  unrea 
sonable,  or  insane,  are  adopted ;  and  education  goes  on 
year  after  year  of  bloody  war,  until  seeming  impossibil 
ities  become  the  recognized  doctrines  and  practical  out 
growths  of  the  exigencies  of  these  tremendous  years  of 
civil  strife.  The  "  considerate  judgment  of  mankind," 
to  which  the  great  Lincoln  appealed  in  closing  that  im 
mortal  proclamation  which  unfettered  millions  of  bond 
men,  after  appalling  wonder  and  reluctant  assent,  slowly, 
but  surely  and  soundly,  comes  round,  with  its  confirma 
tory  sanction,  its  calm  endorsement,  and,  finally,  its  un 
measured  applause ;  until  the  world  is  resounding  with 
the  paeans  of  liberty  to  all,  victory  for  right,  and  the 
principle  of  free  government  and  republican  liberty  vin 
dicated,  settled,  and  established  on  the  American  con 
tinent  forever ! 


CONCLUSION.  261 


What  hath  God  wrought.  Blindness  before  destruction. 

"From  this  time,"  therefore,  "it  shall  be  said,  'What 
hath  God  wrought?'  "  For  "  God"  hath  gained  for  his 
own  eternal  name  the  glory  and  strength,  the  wisdom 
and  might,  the  honor  and  everlasting  praise.  Infidelity 
has  waned  before  the  nation's  growing  faith,  and  men 
who  refer  events  to  accident  or  chance,  have  learned,  in 
the  school  of  rigid  trial,  a  better  and  more  consistent 
philosophy. 

It  is  useless  now  to  speculate  as  to  what  might  or  might 
not  have  been  the  consequences  of  this  or  that  cause. 
As  surely  as  Pharaoh's  eyes  were  blinded,  and  his  heart 
allowed  to  grow  more  and  more  implacable,  so  surely 
did  that  Being  who  presides  over  the  destinies  of  na 
tions,  and  in  whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men,  al 
low  the  leaders  of  the  great  rebellion  to  become  infatu 
ated  with  their  folly,  and  insane  as  to  the  end  of  their 
mad  revolt.  The  mustering  of  armies,  the  furore,  the 
fiery  zeal,  and  the*" reckless  desperation  of  the  enemy, 
growing  more  vicious  in  the  flush  of  apparent  success, 
and  more  callous  in  the  midst  of  disaster  and  defeat,  all 
combined  to  make  the  final  catastrophe  to  their  arms, 
their  flag,  their  boasted  prowess,  resources,  and  the  staple 
of  their  sunny  clime ;  and  to  the  corner-stone  and  pillar 
of  their  Confederacy,  more  signal  and  irreparable. 

Abolitionists  wrote,  reasoned,  and  often  raved,  against 
the  institution  of  slavery :  philanthropists  perilled  life, 
in  the  endeavor  to  scatter  a  little  light,  where  darkness, 
bitterness,  and  cruelty  reigned ;  Christians  prayed  and 
waited,  and  lo !  after  all,  the  abettors,  the  advocates,  and 


262  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 

Suicide  like  Samson.  Rule  or  ruin. 

the  actual  owners  of  "  personal  property"  in  flesh  and 
bones,  and  blood,  themselves  strike  the  blow,  that  re 
bounds  and  breaks  the  manacles  from  shrivelled  hands, 
almost  paralyzed  with  long  "  stretching  forth  unto  the 
Lord  of  Sabaoth." 

Slaveholders  become  their  own  executioners,  and 
blindly,  like  Samson,  pull  down  the  temple,  they  had 
reared,  in  crashing  ruin  on  their  own  heads.  The  boom 
of  that  gun  pointed  at  the  "  Star  of  the  West,"  standing 
in  toward  Sumter  one  day,  rolls  on,  reverberating  as  the 
knell,  the  death-knell  of  American  slavery.  Its  tones 
struck  terror  to  southern  hearts,  and  this  is  why  their 
cause  became  a  "  neck  or  nothing"  affair.  From  the 
start  it  was  their  motto  to  "  rule,  or  ruin,"  and  the 
wonder  now  is  that  our  government  failed  so  long  to  com 
prehend  the  situation,  and  leaned  toward  mercy,  com 
promise,  and  milk-and-water  policy,  until  its  own  honor 
and  very  life,  had  well  nigh  gone  down,  in  the  black, 
seething  whirlpool  of  domestic  insurrection. 

We  can  recall  the  facts  of  1861,  when  statesmen  could 
with  impunity  extol  Jeff  Davis,  and  newspapers  assail 
the  powers  that  be;  when  our  enemies  in  the  North  joined 
hands  with  our  desperate  foes  to  subvert  civil  liberty,  and 
all  the  vulgar  epithets  in  the  dictionary,  were  marshalled 
and  used  against  the  man  whose  honest  heart  welled  out 
in  "  Charity  toward  all,  and  malice  toward  none  ;"  when 
caricatures,  inuendoes,  and  malicious  slanders  were  used 
to  inflame  the  rabble,  and  bring  the  bloody  tide  of  war 
to  all  portions  of  the  noble  north!  And  now,  these 


CONCLUSION.  263 


The  Constitution.  Self-preservation. 


mean,  unprincipled,  and,  as  yet  unhung,  incendiaries  in 
the  north,  step  forward  like  Betsy's  poltroon  of  a 
husband,  in  the  story,  to  claim  their  share  of  credit  in 
killing  the  bear !  Only  a  few  days  ago,  one  of  these 
sham  bedlamite  enemies  actually  declared  that  it  was 
his  party  and  its  principles  that  saved  the  nation,  and 
suppressed  the  rebellion!  O  shame!  where  is  thy 
blush  ? 

It  was  a  favorite,  and  very  popular  rallying-cry  with 
these  detestable  traitors  in  the  rear,  to  say  the  "  Consti 
tution"  had  been  violated,  -the  safeguards  of  Liberty 
destroyed,  and  under  the  beneficent  working  of  a  sus 
pension  of  the  habeas  corpus,  they  felt  insecure  and  very 
unhappy. 

No  doubt  of  it.  "  No  rogue  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw 
with  good  opinion  of  the  law."  So  with  them.  Loyal 
men  were  not  in  mortal  trepidation,  did  not  rail  against 
martial  law,  or  feel  their  hearts  thump,  at  every  knock 
at  their  doors.  They  could  sleep  at  nights,  and  go  about 
their  business  with  a  clear  conscience.  They  knew 
moreover,  that  this  hue  and  cry  about  the  "  Constitution" 
was  all  "  clap  trap."  In  no  single  article,  section,  para 
graph  or  line,  had  that  glorious  instrument  been  over 
leaped.  Does  it  not  expressly  provide  for  emergencies  ? 
Does  it  not  specify  the  duty  of  the  executive,  in  times 
of  insurrection  ?  Does  it  not  make  his  duties  impera 
tive,  under  a  solemn  oath  ?  Has  it  not  inherently  the 
principle  and  the  power  of  self-preservation  ?  And  does 
it  not  afford  authority  to  hang  traitors  ?  Ah !  there's  the 


264  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 

A  dance  on  nothing.  Who  shall  rule. 

rub.  Carry  out  the  Constitution  and  you  may  depend 
on  it,  the  price  of  hemp  will  take  an  upward  tendency ; 
for  there  are  thousands  who  are  fit  for  nothing,  in  all 
candor  and  earnestness,  but  to  execute  a  modern  horn 
pipe  with  their  toes  above  the  surface ! 

The  hangman  has,  however,  been  often  cheated  of  his 
due,  and  in  all  probability  many,  if  not  most  of  these 
flagrant  offenders  will,  true  to  the  wriggling  and  slip 
pery  propensities  of  their  namesake,  escape  the  just  re 
ward  of  their  deeds. 

What  concerns  the  future  of  this  country  now  is  the 
great  question,  "  Who  shall  rule  ?"  "  Coming  events," 
it  is  said,  "  cast  their  shadows  before,"  and  the  indica 
tions  are  growing  fearfully  significant  and  strong  that 
the  animus  of  treason  is  not  quite  extinct.  Like  the  old 
field  adder,  a  little  warmth  of  public  patronage  or  politi 
cal  power,  will  restore  their  poisonous  propensities  North 
and  South,  and  soon  we  shall  have  all  the  knavery  of 
corrupt  principles  permeating  our  national  councils,  if 
the  enemies  of  our  country  are  not  kept  under. 

The  South,  like  a  spoiled  child,  has  been  petted  with 
government  pap  so  long,  and  indulged  in  its  fits  of  bad 
humor,  during  which  it  has  upset  and  broken  things 
generally,  to  such  an  extent  that  its  old  proclivity  is 
returning  as  though  nothing  had  happened,  and  about  the 
very  halls  of  the  White  House  and  the  doors  of  Congress, 
hungry  tribes  of  ex-generals — colonels — captains  and 
heads  of  headless  departments  have  the  brazen  effrontery 
to  congregate ;  no  longer  it  is  true,  with  pistol  and 


CONCLUSION.  265 


An  old  pair  of  breeches.  Reconstruction. 

bowie-knife  blustering  for  their  rights,  but  whining  for 
something  in  the  way  of  position  and  power. 

I  suppose  most  of  these  fallen  heroes,  if  they  can't 
command  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  or  a  place  in  the  Cabinet, 
or  even  a  few  thousand  a  year  in  some  subordinate 
office  where  there  is  nothing  to  do  but  chew  tobacco, 
would  come  down,  like  the  office-hunter  in  General 
Jackson's  day,  to  accept  thankfully  an  old  pair  of 
breeches ! 

Seriously,  the  best  method  of  "reconstruction,"  and 
the  safest  for  posterity  and  future  peace,  is  to  allow  no 
man  or  set  of  men  who  have  taken  part  in  the  murder 
of  Union  soldiers  or  citizens,  and  who  premeditated  the 
murder  of  the  nation  itself,  to  hold  any  office  whatever. 
Let  good,  honest  Union  men  who  have  a  clean  record 
be  sent  into  all  the  Southern  Territory,  and  back  them 
up  with  the  irrepressible  bayonet,  at  whatever  expense 
to  the  national  exchequer,  and  let  the  laws  be  adminis 
tered  by  those  who  are  reliable,  and  not  by  vagabonds 
who  have  proved  themselves  to  be  recreant  to  every 
obligation,  faithless  to  every  trust,  and  whose  "  recon 
struction"  to  be  valid,  should  be  like  the  little  boy's  old 
knife  which  needed  new  blades,  new  spring,  and  a  bran 
new  buck-horn  handle !  It  is  folly  to  play  with  fire.  It 
is  absurd  to  expect  honor  and  fidelity  where  both  have 
been  outraged.  A  perusal  of  the  daily  papers  will  con 
vince  any  unprejudiced  mind  that  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  work  in  the  way  of  subjugation  yet  to  be  done,  and  a 
great  deal  of  wisdom  and  firmness  needed  to  do  ii. 

23 


266  LIFE   IN  THE  ARMY. 

A  plea  for  the  soldier.  Endurance  and  bravery. 

As  a  measure  of  sheer  justice,  as  well  as  national  safety, 
the  men  to  colonize,  control,  and  revolutionize  the  old 
ideas  and  order  of  things  in  the  late  rebel  states,  are 
those  who  fought  the  fight  and,  under  God,  saved  the 
country. 

Some  will  say  they  are  unfit  for  such  responsibilities. 
Why  so?  Who  are  they?  With  some  exceptions,  that 
have  been  easily  detected,  the  great  majority  of  our 
officers,  yea,  and  multitudes  of  the  steady,  patriotic  sol 
diers,  are  men  of  the  finest  education,  genteel  in  manners, 
refined  in  character,  liberal  in  their  views,  and  well  versed 
in  the  science  of  government.  Those  who  suppose  our 
officers  and  men  were  mere  adventurers  have  not  wit 
nessed  what  I  have  seen.  In  the  camp,  on  the  march, 
in  battle,  or  maimed  with  wounds  in  the  hospital,  these 
brave  men  were  true  as  steel.  Not  a  murmur  from  their 
lips,  even  under  the  knife,  or  a  sigh  of  regret  while 
pining  in  loneliness.  And  why?  Because  the  cause  in 
which  they  embarked  was,  to  their  inmost  souls'  con 
sciousness,  a  just  one.  Because  they  had  firm  reliance 
on  God,  and  believed  the  great  issue  was  in  his  hands, 
and  would  be  successful. 

These  men  understand  the  posture  of  affairs.  They 
fought  to  reestablish  the  national  authority,  and  plant 
again  the  flag  in  every  spot  where  the  one  had  been 
defied,  and  the  other  insulted  and  spit  upon.  And  more 
than  this.  They  have  discrimination  enough  to  know 
the  cause,  and  reprobate  the  occasion  of  resistance  against 
a  benign  government.  They  pressed  their  energies  to- 


CONCLUSION.  267 


Safety  for  the  negro.  Future  of  the  race. 

ward  the  extirpation  of  that  cause.  For  the  overthrow 
of  slavery  they  endured  the  toil  and  braved  the  danger 
which  met  them  at  every  turn.  And  they  mean  that 
this  business  shall  be  a  finality.  Slavery  in  any  form, 
oppression  in  every  respect,  and  the  avarice  that  wrings 
out  of  the  sweat  of  the  poor,  defenseless,  and  unlettered 
African  the  means  for  pampered  idleness,  they  are  deter 
mined  shall  never  lift  its  hydra-head  again. 

In  .the  hands  of  good,  true,  untainted  loyal  men,  alone, 
the  poor  negro  is  safe  from  indignity,  imposture,  and 
continued  degradation.  Leave  the  freedmen  to  the  ten 
der  mercies  of  their  former  owners  as  neighbors,  and  they 
shall  be  hunted  like  sheep,  and  ground  under  the  heel 
of  a  hatred  that  has  lately  become  intensified  to  fury. 

The  future  of  the  colored  race  in  this  land  is  one 
of  the  problems  over  which  hangs  a  thick  vail  of  obscu 
rity.  Shall  the  prophets  who  have  declared  their  exter 
mination,  or  the  politicians  who  have  sneered  at  their 
efforts  to  become  intelligent  and  useful  citizens,  or  the 
demagogues  who  catch  the  ague  every  time  political 
equality  is  mentioned — shall  these  have  things  all  their 
own  way?  God  forbid! 

He  that  hath  so  strangely  opened  up  for  this  long- 
neglected  people  a  path  through  the  deep  waters,  will 
feed  them  in  their  present  wilderness  state,  and  spread 
his  covering  wings  around  their  unprotected  heads ;  and 
in  due  time  we  shall  see  a  silver  lining  fringe  the  gloomy 
cloud,  and  a  future  for  this  race  which  will  be  charac 
terized  by  independence,  consideration,  and'  respect,  and 


268  LIFE   IN   THE  ARMY. 

"  Free  and  equal."  A  firm  position. 

advancement  to  that  inheritance  to  which  the  fathers  of  this 
nation  declared  all  men  to  be  born. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Emancipa 
tion  Proclamation  must  now  be  framed  together.  The 
great  fact  announced  in  the  former  becomes  a  practical 
thing  in  the  latter,  and  is  now  the  supreme  law  of  this 
"  heaven-favored  land,"  although  it  required  four-score 
years  of  schooling  to  bring  the  popular  conscience  and 
heart  squarely  up  to  its  avowal  and  maintenance. 

Southern  hatred  must  be  put  under  bonds  for  decent 
behaviour.  Oppression  must  cease,  and  the  sworn 
enemies  of  our  nation  must  be  educated  into  proper  sub 
jection  by  the  "  logic  of  events,"  and  the  strong  and 
steady  hand  of  centralized  power. 

Instead  of  becoming  our  rulers  these  late  rebels  must 
accept  the  "  issue  of  battle,"  and  in  a  generation  or  two, 
perhaps,  their  descendants  may  become  eligible  to  public 
confidence  and  a  share  in  the  government. 

In  the  doctrine  of  human  equality  before  the  law,  and 
on  this  position  I  take  my  stand,  there  appears  to  me  to 
be  nothing  like  danger  to  liberty  or  disaster  to  the  inter 
nal  harmony  and  peace  of  the  community.  There  can 
be  no  collision  of  races  unless  it  is  provoked  by  the  white 
people.  It  is  reduced  to  an  absolute  certainty  that  the 
educated  colored  man,  if  let  alone,  will  not  metldle  with 
us.  Treat  him  fairly  and  he  will  appreciate  your  kind 
ness.  Pay  him  for  his  labor  and  he  will  earn  faithfully 
his  bread  and  butter.  Let  him  vote — ah !  here's  the 
trouble — and  he  won't  vote  for  old  hunkers ;  he  won't 


CONCLUSION.  269 


The  world  moves.  Our  source  of  strength. 

forget  who  the  copperheads  were ;  he  will  tell  his  chil 
dren  and  his  children's  children  to  beware  of  a  party 
that  rose  to  power  and  long  maintained  supremacy  solely 
on  oppression  of  the  colored  race ;  and  to  its  last  gasp, 
tried  to  rivet  the  chains  on  that  people  with  merciless 
vigor  and  unabated  cruelty. 

Well — the  world  moves  !  What  a  transition  in  five 
years  ?  What  a  triumph  of  principle  over  self-interest, 
pride,  and  sectional  bitterness,  we  can  rejoice  in  to-day? 
The  black  man  is  a  freeman,  at  least  in  form.  The  white 
man  who  wanted  liberty  of  opinion,  of  speech,  and  of 
the  press,  is  free.  The  Bible  is  unfettered  and  the  gos 
pel  is  free  !  Hallelujah  ! 

No  longer  can  "  Mason  and  Dixon's  line"  bounu  the 
spread  of  liberal  sentiments,  popular  education,  or  the 
fifty-eighth  chapter  of  Isaiah !  We  have  now  a  fair 
field,  and  "may  God  prosper  the  right. 

Before  the  calamity  of  war  •  overspread  the  land  with 
darkness  and  wailing,  there  came  an  unseen  hand,  a 
silent,  but  powerful  force  of  conviction,  which  touched 
the  hearts,  and  tendered  the  feelings  of  tens  of  thousands, 
leading  them  to  prayer,  repentance,  and  trust  in  Christ, 
as  the  all-sufficient  and  only  Saviour.'  We  recall  the 
great  revival  of  1858,  and  its  incidents  of  thrilling 
power,  and  gracious  visitation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  What 
does  this  whole  nation  need  most  at  present  ? 

One  will  say  "a  chief  magistrate,  who  understands 
his  responsibility,  and  will  do  right."  Another  will 

23* 


270  LIFE   IN  THE   ARMY. 

Effects  of  religion.  Signs  of  promise. 

look  to  the  Congress  of  the  ^nation,  and  say,  "  Here  is  the 
centre  and  source  of  our  strength  and  safety." 

Others  will  give  opinions  as  diverse  as  their  own  vary 
ing  views,  on  "  reconstruction,"  tariffs,  taxes,  and  com 
mercial,  or ,  industrial  interests.  But  this  whole  country 
needs,  now,  more  than  anything  else,  in  my  judgment,  a 
wide-spread,  deep,  and  powerful  revival  of  the  work  of 
God.  This  alone  can  make  crooked  paths  straight,  and 
rugged  places,  in  every  department,  even.  This  alone, 
can  furnish  an  enduring  basis,  and  effectual  bond  of  fra 
ternity  between  enemies  and  friends. 

This  will  heal  the  breach,  restore  the  waste  places,  and 
bring  forth  in  the  desert  land  springs  of  water,  and  the 
bloom  of  prosperity  again.  A  thorough  revival,  in  which 
God's  people  shall  be  quickened  to  holy  zeal,  and  sinners 
by  hundreds  of  thousands,  converted  from  the  error  of 
their  ways,  will  right  up  the  gallant  ship  that  was  so 
nearly  stranded,  and  fill  the  hamlets  and  homes  of  the 
nation,  where  mourning  has  been  endured  for  a  weary 
night,  with  joy  and  rejoicing. 

For  a  revival  then  let  Christ's  ambassadors  preach, 
and  all  his  people  pray,  until  the  little  cloud  appearing, 
shall  spread  over  all  the  sky,  and  teeming  showers  of 
blessing  come  on  the  thirsty  land.  Then  shall  there  be 
a  sound  in  the  tops  of  the  mill  berry-trees,  and  the  God 
whose  goodness  we  have  all  seen  and  acknowledged, 
will  be  honored  and  glorified,  and  He  will  return  unto 
us,  and  cause  his  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 

It  is  coming!     The  drops  are  falling!     Sinners  are 


CONCLUSION.  271 


Lessons  of  the  war.  Finis. 


crying !  Saints  are  full  of  immortal  hope  !  The  churches 
in  this  city,  and  elsewhere, — O  may  it  be  so  everywhere ! 
are  waking  up  to  effort,  and  the  prospect  is  that  even  as 
in  former  times,  and  much  more  abundantly,  our  Father 
in  heaven  will  remember  Zion,  and  turn  the  hearts  of 
the  disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just. 

The  lessons  of  the  war  will  be  lost  on  us  unless  we 
are  brought  njgh  to  the  throne :  unless  the  whole  na 
tion  is  humbled  on  account  of  sin,  and  then  exalted  on 
account  of  practical  righteousness.  "Help,  Lord  !"  "It 
is  time  for  Thee  to  work !"  And  for  us,  a  people  pre 
served  to  Thy  praise,  "  It  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of 
sleep." 

As  I  lay  down  my  weary  pen,  and  commit  these 
pages  to  the  press,  I  am  "happy  to  assure  the  reader, 
that  in  preaching  salvation  to  perishing  souls,  and  point 
ing  the  inquirer  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  I  hope  to  spend 
the  remnant  of  my  days.  Pray,  that  my  faith  may  fail 
not,  and  that  we  may  meet  at  last  on  the  banks  of  eter 
nal  deliverance ! 


THE    END. 


" 


M42647 


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